An Inspector Calls

Question 1

I don’t know – really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.

Answer 1

Eric

Question 2

(rather noisily) All the best! She’s got a nasty temper sometimes – but she’s not bad really. Good old Sheila! (Act 1)

Answer 2

Eric

Question 3

I left’em talking about clothes again. You’d think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married. Women are potty about ‘em. (Act 1)

Answer 3

Eric

Question 4

By jove, yes. And as you were saying, dad, a man has to look after himself- (Act 1)

Answer 4

Eric

Question 5

He could. He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck. (Act 1)

Answer 5

Eric

Question 6

Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices. And I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she’d a bit more spirit than the others. You said yourself she was a good worker. I’d have let her stay. (Act 1)

Answer 6

Eric

Question 7

(suddenly bursting out) I’m sorry – but you see – we were having a little party – and I’ve had a few drinks, including rather a lot of champagne – and I’ve got a headache – and as I’m only in the way here – I think I’d better turn in. (Act 1)

Answer 7

Eric

Question 8

(bitterly) You haven’t made it any easier for me, have you, mother? (Act 2)

Answer 8

Eric

Question 9

Yes. And that’s when it happened. And I didn’t even remember – that’s the hellish thing. Oh – my God! - how stupid it all is! (Act 2)

Answer 9

Eric

Question 10

Yes. I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport–

Answer 10

ERic

Question 11

No. she didn’t want me to marry her. Said I didn’t love her – and all that. In a way, she treated me – as if I were a kid. Though I was nearly as old as she was. (Act 2)

Answer 11

Eric

Question 12

(miserably) Yes. That was the worst of all. She wouldn’t take any more, and she didn’t want to see me again. (Act 2)

Answer 12

Eric

Question 13

(nearly at breaking point) Then – you killed her. She came to you to protect me – and you turned her away – yes, and you killed her – and the child she’d have had too (Act 2)

Answer 13

Eric

Question 14

(unhappily) My God – I’m not likely to forget. (Act 2)

Answer 14

Eric

Question 15

Well, I don’t blame you. But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well – yes both of you. (Act 3)

Answer 15

Eric

Question 16

( bursting out) What’s the use of talking about behaving sensibly. You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all. And I can’t see it like that. This girl’s still dead, isn’t she? Nobody’s brought her to life, have they? (Act 3)

Answer 16

Eric

Question 17

The money’s not the important thing. It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters. And I still feel the same about it, and that’s why I don’t feel like sitting down and having a nice cosy talk. (Act 3)

Answer 17

Eric

Question 18

(smiling) Wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I insist upon being one of the family now. I’ve been trying long enough, haven’t I? (as she does not reply, with more insistence.) Haven’t I? You know I have. (Act 1)

Answer 18

Gerald

Question 19

Hear, hear! And I think my father would agree to that. (Act 1)

Answer 19

Gerald

Question 20

(quietly) Thank you. And I drink to you – and hope I can make you as happy as you deserve to be. (Act 1)

Answer 20

Gerald

Question 21

(laughs) You seem to be a nice well-behaved family – (Act 1)

Answer 21

Gerald

Question 22

(lightly) Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (nodding confidentially to Birling.) and that would be awkward, wouldn’t it? (Act 1)

Answer 22

Gerald

Question 23

(showing annoyance) Any particular reason why I shouldn’t see this girl’s photograph, inspector?
(Act 1)

Answer 23

Gerald

Question 24

Getting a bit heavy-handed, aren’t you, inspector? (Act 1)

Answer 24

Gerald

Question 25

So – for god's sake – don't say anything to the inspector. (Act 1)

Answer 25

Gerald

Question 26

(to Sheila) thanks. You're going to be a great help, I can see. You've said your piece, and you're obviously going to hate this, so why on earth don't you leave us to it? (Act 2)

Answer 26

Gerald

Question 27

I happened to look in, one night, after a long dull day, and as the show wasn't very bright, I went down into the bar for a drink. It's a favourite haunt of women of the town-- (Act 2)

Answer 27

Gerald

Question 28

(distressed) sorry – I – well, I've suddenly realized – taken it in properly – that's she's dead-- (Act 2)

Answer 28

Gerald

Question 29

: I made her go to morgan Terrace because I was sorry for her, and didn't like the idea of her going back to the palace bar. I didn't ask for anything in return. (Act 2)

Answer 29

Gerald

Question 30

(hesitatingly) it's hard to say. I didn't feel about her as she felt about me. (Act 2)

Answer 30

Gerald

Question 31

No, it wasn't. ( he waits a moment, then in a low, troubled tone.) she told me she'd been happier than she'd ever been before – but that she knew it couldn't last – hadn't expected it to last. She didn't blame me at all. I wish to God she had now. Perhaps I'd feel better about it. (Act 2)

Answer 31

Gerald

Question 32

I insisted on a parting gift of enough money – though it wasn't so very much – to see her through to the end of the year. (Act 2)

Answer 32

Gerald

Question 33

in that case – as I'm rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be – and – well, I'd like to be alone for a while – I'd be glad if you'd let me go. (Act 2)

Answer 33

Gerald

Question 34

Well, you were right. There isn't any such inspector. We've been had. (Act 3)

Answer 34

Gerald

Question 35

I did keep a girl last summer. I've admitted it. And I'm sorry, Sheila. (Act 3)

Answer 35

Gerald

Question 36

Everything's all right now, Sheila. (Holds up the ring.) What about this ring? (Act 3)

Answer 36

Gerald

Question 37

Perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices. (Act 1)

Answer 37

Mr Birling

Question 38

As a hard-headed business man, who has to take risks and know what he's about – I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk (Act 1)

Answer 38

Mr Birling

Question 39

I’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man. So – well – I gather there's a very good chance of a knighthood – so long as we behave ourselves, don't get into the police court or start a scandal – eh?(Act 1)

Answer 39

Mr Birling

Question 40

the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. (Act 1)

Answer 40

Mr Birling

Question 41

Still, I can't accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it? (Act 1)

Answer 41

Mr Birling

Question 42

This girl. Eva Smith, was one of them, she'd had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go. (Act 1)

Answer 42

Mr Birling

Question 43

Rubbish! If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth. (Act 1)

Answer 43

Mr Birling

Question 44

(angrily) Inspector, I've told you before, I don't like the tone nor the way you're handling this inquiry. And I don't propose to give you much rope. (act 2)

Answer 44

Mr Birling

Question 45

(dubiously) I must say, Sybil, that when this comes out at the inquest, it isn't going to do us much good. The press might easily take it up—(Act 2)

Answer 45

Mr Birling

Question 46

You must give me a list of those accounts. I've got to cover this up as soon as I can. (act 3)

Answer 46

Mr Birling

Question 47

(angrily) Yes, and you don't realize yet all you've done. Most of this is bound to come out. There'll be a public scandal. (act 3)

Answer 47

Mr Birling

Question 48

(angrily) Drop that. There's every excuse for what both your mother and I did (Act 3)

Answer 48

Mr Birling

Question 49

That fellow obviously didn't like us. He was prejudiced from the start. Probably a socialist or some sort of crank – he talked like one. And then, instead of standing up to him, you let him bluff you into talking about your private affairs. (Act 3)

Answer 49

Mr Birling

Question 50

(triumphantly) There you are! Proof positive. The whole story's just a lot of moonshine. Nothing but an elaborate sell! (Act 3)

Answer 50

Mr Birling

Question 51

(jovially) But the whole thing's different now. Come, come, you can see that, can't you? (Imitating Inspector in his final speech.) You all helped to kill her. (pointing at Sheila and Eric, and laughing.) and I wish you could have seen the look on your faces when he said that. (Act 3)

Answer 51

Mr Birling

Question 52

(pointing to Eric and Sheila) Now look at the pair of them – the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can't even take a joke- (Act 3)

Answer 52

Mr Birling

Question 53

All right, Edna. I'll ring from the drawing room when we want coffee. Probably in about half an hour. (Act 1)

Answer 53

Mrs Birling

Question 54

(reproachfully) Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things- (Act 1)

Answer 54

Mrs Birling

Question 55

What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days! (Act 1)

Answer 55

Mrs Birling

Question 56

Please don't contradict me like that. And in any case I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class—(Act 2)

Answer 56

Mrs Birling

Question 57

That – I consider – is a trifle impertinent, inspector. (Act 2)

Answer 57

Mrs Birling

Question 58

(with dignity) Yes. We've done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases. (Act 2)

Answer 58

Mrs Birling

Question 59

Yes, I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence – quite deliberate – and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case. (Act 2)

Answer 59

Mrs Birling

Question 60

If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, Inspector, you're quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I'm ashamed of or that won't bear investigation. (Act 2)

Answer 60

Mrs Birling

Question 61

I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility. (Act 2)

Answer 61

Mrs Birling

Question 62

She was giving herself ridiculous airs. She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position. (Act 2)

Answer 62

Mrs Birling

Question 63

I didn't see any reason to believe that one story should be any truer than the other. Therefore, you're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did. (Act 2)

Answer 63

Mrs Birling

Question 64

I'm sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it at all. (Act 2)

Answer 64

Mrs Birling

Question 65

If, as she said, he didn't belong to her class, and was some drunken young idler, then that's all the more reason why he shouldn't escape. He should be made an example of. If the girl's death is due to anybody, then it's due to him. (Act 2)

Answer 65

Mrs Birling

Question 66

(shocked) Eric! You stole money? (Act 3)

Answer 66

Mrs Birling

Question 67

Well, I must say his manner was quite extraordinary; so – so rude – and assertive – (Act 3)

Answer 67

Mrs Birling

Question 68

Really, from the way you children talk, you might be wanting to help him instead of us. Now just be quiet so that your father can decide what we ought to do. (Looks expectantly at Birling.) (Act 3)

Answer 68

Mrs Birling

Question 69

They're over-tired. In the morning they'll be as amused as we are. (Act 3)

Answer 69

Mrs Birling

Question 70

“I’m sorry, Daddy.” She looks attentive, as they all do. (Act 1)

Answer 70

Shelia

Question 71

But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people. (Act 1)

Answer 71

Shelia

Question 72

Oh – Gerald – you’ve got it – is it the one you wanted me to have? (Act 1)

Answer 72

Shelia

Question 73

If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I don't suppose I’d have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself. I couldn't be sorry for her. (Act 1)

Answer 73

Shelia

Question 74

It's the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody. (Act 1)

Answer 74

Shelia

Question 75

(laughs rather hysterically) why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don't know yet. You'll see. You'll see. (Act 1)

Answer 75

Shelia

Question 76

(eagerly) I know I'm to blame – and I'm desperately sorry – but I can't believe – I won't believe – it's simply my fault that in that in the end she – she committed suicide. That would be too horrible –(Act 2)

Answer 76

Shelia

Question 77

We all started like that – so confident, so pleased with ourselves until he began asking us questions. (Act 2)

Answer 77

Shelia

Question 78

(slowly, carefully now) you mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do, then the inspector will just break it down. And it'll be all the worse when he does. (Act 2)

Answer 78

Shelia

Question 79

I'm not a child, don't forget. I've a right to know. (Act 2)

Answer 79

Shelia

Question 80

(rather wildly, with laugh) No, he's giving us the rope – so that we'll hang ourselves. (Act 2)

Answer 80

Shelia

Question 81

I don't dislike you as I did half an hour ago, Gerald. In fact, in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I've ever done before. …. But this has made a diffence. You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here.(Act 2)

Answer 81

Shelia

Question 82

Don't interfere, please, father. (Act 2)

Answer 82

Shelia

Question 83

We've no excuse now for putting on airs and if we've any sense we won't try (Act 2)

Answer 83

Shelia

Question 84

I behaved badly too. I know I did I'm ashamed of it. But now you're beginning all over again to pretend that nothing much has happened- (Act 3)

Answer 84

Shelia

Question 85

(flaring up) It’s you two who are being childish – trying not to face the facts. (Act 3)

Answer 85

Shelia

Question 86

(bitterly) I suppose we're all nice people now.(Act 3)

Answer 86

Shelia

Question 87

(flaring up) Well, he inspected us all right. And don't let's start dodging and pretending now. Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide. (Act 3)

Answer 87

Shelia

Question 88

(tensely) I want to get out of this. It frightens me the way you talk. (Act 3)

Answer 88

Shelia

Question 89

I tell you – whoever that Inspector was, it was anything but a joke. You knew it then. You began to learn something. And now you've stopped. You're ready to go on in the same old way. (Act 3)

Answer 89

Shelia

Question 90

I’d like some information, if you don't mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died on the infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course. (Act 1)

Answer 90

Inspector Goole

Question 91

(coolly, looking hard at him) There might be.(Act 1)

Answer 91

Inspector Goole

Question 92

They might. But after all it's better to ask for the earth than to take it. (Act 1)

Answer 92

Inspector Goole

Question 93

(dryly) I don't play golf. Act 1)

Answer 93

Inspector Goole

Question 94

(slowly) Are you sure you don't know? (He looks at Gerald, then at Eric, then at Sheila.) (Act 1)

Answer 94

Inspector Goole

Question 95

(steadily) That's more or less what I was thinking earlier tonight when I was in the infirmary looking at what was left of Eva Smith. A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody's made of it. (Act 1)

Answer 95

Inspector Goole

Question 96

Sometimes there isn't much difference as you think. Often , if it was left to me, I wouldn't know where to draw the line [between respectable citizens and criminals]. (Act 1)

Answer 96

Inspector Goole

Question 97

(harshly) Yes, but you can't. It's too late. She's dead. (Act 1)

Answer 97

Inspector Goole

Question 98

You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things? (Act 2)

Answer 98

Inspector Goole

Question 99

(sternly to them both) You see, we have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt. (Act 2)

Answer 99

Inspector Goole

Question 100

(cutting in, with authority) he must wait his turn. (Act 2)

Answer 100

Inspector Goole

Question 101

(sharply) your daughter isn't living on the moon. She's here in Brumley too. (Act 2)

Answer 101

Inspector Goole

Question 102

(massively) Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges. (Act 2)

Answer 102

Inspector Goole

Question 103

(very deliberately) I think you did something terribly wrong – and that you're going to spend the rest of your life regretting it. (Act 2)

Answer 103

Inspector Goole

Question 104

(very sternly) Her position now is that she lies with a burnt-out inside on a slab. ( As Birling tries to protest, turns on him.) Don't stammer and yammer at me again, man (Act 2)

Answer 104

Inspector Goole

Question 105

(firmly) Yes. (As Birling looks like interrupting explosively.) I know – he's your son and this is your house – but look at him. He needs a drink now just to see him through. (Act 3)

Answer 105

Inspector Goole

Question 106

Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. (He looks from one to the other of them carefully.) But then I don't think you ever will. (Act 3)

Answer 106

Inspector Goole

Question 107

One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and bloody and anguish. Good night. (Act 3)

Answer 107

Inspector Goole