Character Quotes Flashcards
(19 cards)
Front
Back
Sheila – Beginning
“Look – Mummy – isn’t it a beauty?”
Shows her immaturity and materialism. Priestley uses her childish language and obsession with the ring to show how out of touch she is at the start.
Sheila – Middle
“These girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
Shows her moral awakening and growing empathy. Priestley uses Sheila to symbolise hope in the younger generation.
Sheila – End
“It was anything but a joke.”
She accepts responsibility, even if the Inspector wasn’t real. Priestley shows she has truly changed.
Mr Birling – Beginning
“A man has to mind his own business.”
Shows his selfish, capitalist mindset. Priestley uses him to represent the older generation’s greed.
Mr Birling – Middle
“If we were all responsible… it would be very awkward.”
He refuses to accept responsibility. Priestley criticises this lack of social conscience.
Mr Birling – End
“Probably a socialist or some sort of crank.”
He dismisses the Inspector and the message. Priestley shows his refusal to change.
Mrs Birling – Beginning
“Girls of that class—”
Reveals class prejudice. Priestley uses her to highlight upper-class arrogance.
Mrs Birling – Middle
“I think she only had herself to blame.”
No responsibility or sympathy. Priestley critiques her cold, moral superiority.
Mrs Birling – End
“They’ll be as amused as we are.”
Unchanged. Priestley shows the dangers of denial and social ignorance.
Eric – Beginning
“I just had to laugh.”
Childish and uneasy. Priestley introduces Eric as immature and directionless.
Eric – Middle
“You killed her – and the child… my child!”
Takes responsibility and shows emotional growth. Priestley uses this to contrast with his parents.
Eric – End
“The fact remains that I did what I did.”
He owns his actions. Priestley uses Eric as a symbol of hope and honesty.
Gerald – Beginning
“I hope I can make you as happy as you deserve to be.”
Appears kind and honourable. Priestley presents him as a polished but flawed upper-class man.
Gerald – Middle
“I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.”
He used Daisy, despite being kind. Priestley reveals the hypocrisy of men like Gerald.
Gerald – End
“Everything’s all right now, Sheila.”
He wants to move on. Priestley shows how the upper class avoids real change.
Inspector – Responsibility message
“We are members of one body.”
Priestley’s core message: we must care for each other. The Inspector is his voice.
Inspector – Guilt reminder
“Each of you helped to kill her.”
He confronts them with the truth. Priestley uses direct language to force guilt and reflection.
Inspector – Social warning
“Millions and millions of Eva Smiths…”
Eva is a symbol of many. Priestley warns that injustice is still everywhere.
