An Inspector Calls Quotes Flashcards
(17 cards)
Eric
Act 3
“I was in ………. ………… ………… …. ………. ………..”
“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.”
This reflects the Id — Eric is ruled by primitive desires (alcohol, sex), without moral restraint. It shows unconscious urges overriding rational thought. Freud would interpret this as the ego failing to control the id.
Freud’s psychoanalysis theory
Mr Birling
Act 1
“A man ………. ………. ………….. ………. …………… ………. himself.”
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.”
Mr Birling represents the Ego — rationalising selfishness. He suppresses guilt and prioritises self-interest. His lack of moral conscience (superego) shows how capitalism numbs empathy.
Freud’s psychoanalysis theory
Inspector
Act 3
“We ……. ……. ………. ……… ……… ………. ……….. ……….. other.”
“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
The Inspector embodies the Superego — the voice of collective morality and guilt. He’s not just challenging behaviour, but confronting the characters’ suppressed consciences.
Freud’s psychoanalysis theory
Inspector
Act 3
“Each of … ……… ……….. …………. ………. ……………………. ………………… …………….”
“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”
Dunne believed time was non-linear — the past, present, and future all exist at once. The Inspector’s warning is timeless: the characters must carry their guilt forever, because their actions echo through time.
Gerald
Act 3
“Everything’s ……….. ………… ……… Sheila. ……………….. …………… …………… ……………………. ……………..?”
“Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”
Gerald fails to learn from time. If Dunne’s theory is correct, then he is trapped, repeating the same moral failures. His dismissal of the Inspector’s message shows a refusal to grow — a failure to use time meaningfully.
Sheila
Act 3
“You’re …………….. …………….. …………. ………….. ……….. before.”
“You’re pretending everything’s just as it was before.”
Ouspensky’s theory suggests that unless we learn from our past, we’re doomed to relive it. Sheila’s awareness reflects moral progress. She breaks the cycle by refusing to forget. The older characters fail to escape the loop.
Mrs Birling
Act 2
“Go and ….. … … …………. .. … ……….. It’s ….. ………………………”
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
Dramatic irony — she unwittingly condemns her own son. She fails to reflect or empathise, suggesting she’s destined to repeat her mistakes under Ouspensky’s theory.
Mrs Birling
Act 2
“Girls of ….. …..”
“Girls of that class.”
Mr Birling
Act 1
“She was one of .. ……… …… ….. . ……………. ….”
“She was one of my employees and then I discharged her.”
Mr Birling
Act 1
“She’d had . … .. … .. … …. - .. … … .. ..”
“She’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go.”
Inspector
Act 2
“She was here ….. ……….., ……… ………….., ………………”
“She was here alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate.”
Mrs Birling
Act 2
“She was claiming ……………. … …………. … ………. ……. …. ………… ……….. .. . … … … …………….”
“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.”
Inspector
Act 3
“The ….. …… though.”
“The girl’s dead though.”
Gerald
Act 2
“She was ….. ……”
“She was very pretty”
Inspector
Act 3
“She was in ….. ……”
“She was in great agony.”
Eric
Act 3
“She was …… and a ……. ………”
“She was pretty and a good sport.”
Mr Birling
Act 2
“I used my ……… … …… …. ………..”
“I used my influence to have it refused.”
