inspector calls hg checklist

Question 1

what is Mr Birling’s quote for responsibility?

Answer 1

“if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody.. it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”

Question 2

“if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody.. it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?” analysis

Answer 2

-his belief that acknowledging collective responsibility would be “awkward” is ironic because his own actions which directly contributed to Eva Smith’s death, are ignored
-the rhetorical question emphasises his perspective that collective responsibility is impractical , revealing his unscrupulous ideology that individuals should not be held accountable for the welfare of others
-his view is emblematic of the bourgeois perspective that wealth and success are individual achievements, disconnected from the consequence for others
-Priestley’s layered revelations deepen the critique of the bourgeois hypocrisy, forcing characters and viewers to confront their complicity

Question 3

“if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody.. it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?” context

Answer 3

-during the rigid class system of 1912 , Britain saw 25% in poverty
-this reflects Priestley’s belief in a collective social conscience and his critique of the unscrupulous hierarchies that perpetuated inequality

Question 4

Mr Birling older vs younger quote

Answer 4

“why, you hysterical young fool, get back - or I’ll-“

Question 5

“why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I’ll” analysis

Answer 5

“Hysterical young fool” – hyperbolic tone reflects Mr Birling’s remorseless condescension towards the younger generation, dismissing their valid concerns as irrationality.
-“Fool” – laden with dehumanising implications, stripping Eric of dignity and highlighting Mr Birling’s unscrupulous prioritisation of control over familial respect.
-Priestley’s language – mirrors the stark generational divide as Eric’s development of collective social responsibility clashes with Mr Birling’s rigid, self-serving worldview.
-Fragmented structure, conveys Birling’s loss of composure, exposing the fragility of his bourgeois facade.
-Mr Birling’s violent outburst – builds rising tension and foreshadows his ultimate inability to receive emancipation from his entrenched capitalist ideology.

Question 6

“why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I’ll” context

Answer 6

-Birling’s domineering attitude and dismissal of his son’s moral concerns reflect the upper class’s attempt to maintain their laissez-faire approach to governance to avoid accountability.

Question 7

Mr Birling’s capitalism vs socialism quote

Answer 7

-“ A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself- and his family too, of course”

Question 8

” A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself- and his family too, of course” analysis

Answer 8

-Antithetical structure of “his own way” and “and his family too” reflects Birling’s parsimonious mindset.
-Priestley uses this to amplify the exploitative mindset of capitalism, where familial bonds are merely transactional.
-Birling is a microcosm of a laissez-faire capitalist society, prioritising profit and individualism over moral responsibility.
-Rhetorical repetition of “has to” illustrates Birling’s unscrupulous, exploitative, laissez-faire views as part of the bourgeois class.
-highlighting his remorseless self-interest and detachment from collective social conscience.

Question 9

” A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself- and his family too, of course” context

Answer 9

-Post - World War 1 disillusionment prompted calles for social change and greater equality
-Priestley writing in the shadow of another war , critiques the lack of moral progress toward characters like Mr Birling’s
-Mr Birling’s speech warns of the dangers of ignoring interconnectedness and perpetuating pre-war ideologies of selfish individualism

Question 10

What is Mr Birling’s quote for social class

Answer 10

“if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth”

Question 11

“if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth” analysis

Answer 11

-this quote utilises metaphorical language to illustrate Birling’s exploitative mindset
-the phrase “asking for the earth” exaggerates the working class’s demands, reducing them to dehumanising caricatures of greed and entitlement
-Birling’s hyperbolic tone reveals his unscrupulous attitude toward class relations
-his statement demonstrates the stagnation of those clinging to laissez-faire ideologies, reinforcing Priestley’s critique of exploitative capitalism.

Question 12

“if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth” context

Answer 12

-Priestley’s socialist beliefs were shaped by post-war calls for change and equality
-this quote reflects his political diatribe against the laissez-faire policies that priorities profit over human dignity, urging audiences to reject unscrupulous attitudes

Question 13

what is Mr Birling’s quote for responsibility

Answer 13

-“I’ve done nothing wrong and you know it”

Question 14

“I’ve done nothing wrong and you know it” analysis

Answer 14

-her epistemic modality highlights Mrs Birling’s remorseless rejection of responsibility.
-Her unwavering tone reflects the unscrupulous mindset of the bourgeois, denying exploitation of the proletariat.
-this reflects a delusional worldview where the nouveau riche ignore their ethical obligations, creating a microcosm of wider societal indifference.
-This ironic dismissal amplifies her refusal to engage in emancipation for others.
-as her words regress societal progress, exposing exploitative attitudes towards the proletariat.

Question 15

“I’ve done nothing wrong and you know it” context

Answer 15

-Mrs Birling’s assertion epitomises the upper-class’s laissez-faire attitude towards the systemic inequities mirroring Priestley’s critique of the entrenched social hierarchy.

Question 16

what is Mr’s Birling’s quote for older vs younger?

Answer 16

“I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it”

Question 17

“I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it” analysis

Answer 17

-the repetition of the phrase emphasises Mrs Birling’s refusal to accept the reality of her actions and their consequences
-Her choice to reject the Inspector’s testimony serves as a defensive mechanism to absolve herself, a reaction stemming from her exploitative nature, as she is unwilling to face the dehumanising consequences of her own role in Eva Smith’s death
- Mrs. Birling’s refusal to accept responsibility represents a regression in her character, moving away from self-awareness and moral responsibility, contrasting with the younger generation’s emancipation.
-Through Mrs. Birling’s reaction, Priestley characterises her as unscrupulous and reveals her entrenched belief in the superiority of the bourgeois class.
-Mrs. Birling’s words show her refusal to engage with the collective social conscience and her adoption of a laissez-faire position to avoid truth.

Question 18

“I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it” context

Answer 18

-1912 Britain’s laissez-faire capitalism contrasts with the 1945 socialist shift; Priestley promotes social responsibility and equality.
-Shows older generation’s remorseless, exploitative mindset as Mrs. Birling rejects moral responsibility of the bourgeois class.

Question 19

what is Mrs Birling’s capitalism vs socialism quote?

Answer 19

-“I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“

Question 20

“I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“ analysis

Answer 20

-Mrs. Birling’s dismissive tone in “I don’t suppose for a moment” conveys her unscrupulous rejection of empathy or moral responsibility for Eva Smith.
-“Girls of that class” demonstrates her dehumanising attitude toward the proletariat, seeing them as inferior to the bourgeois.
-Mrs. Birling acts as an epitome of the upper class’s indifference, viewing them as disposable.
-Her phrase “Girls of that class,” uses the motif of othering, positioning Eva as “other” due to lower status.
-Language emphasises the dehumanising effect of capitalism, which sees the proletariat as inferior to the bourgeois.

Question 21

“I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“ context

Answer 21

The class system in early 20th-century Britain gave the bourgeois privileges, while the proletariat faced exploitation and oppression.
-Mrs. Birling’s statement “Girls of that class” reflects the class divide, reinforcing that the proletariat don’t deserve the same moral consideration.
-This is illustrated in her condescending tone towards Eva Smith.

Question 22

what is Mrs Birling’s second quote for social class?

Answer 22

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money”

Question 23

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money” analysis

Answer 23

-Mrs Birling’s use of periphrasis in “a girl of that sort” veils her contempt beneath a veneer of civility.
-She maintains bourgeois propriety while perpetuating a dehumanising elitism, reducing Eva to a symbol of moral deficiency.
-The irony of “refuse money” reveals Mrs Birling’s flawed assumption, ignoring Eva’s moral grounds and scrupulous integrity.
-This underscores her delusional moral framework and remorseless projection of self-interest onto Eva.

Question 24

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money”

Answer 24

-Early 20th century saw women’s movements advocating for emancipation and equality.
-Mrs Birling’s attitude reflects entrenched misogyny and classism, where women like Eva were exploited and blamed.
-Highlights dehumanising views that perpetuated systemic oppression.

Question 25

what is Sheila's quote for social class?

Answer 25

"She was a very pretty girl, that didn't make it any better"

Question 26

"She was a very pretty girl, that didn't make it any better" analysis

Answer 26

Sheila’s reflection creates catharsis, confronting her family’s and the audience’s remorseless attitudes. -She rejects unscrupulous, exploitative logic by recognising Eva’s beauty doesn’t excuse harm. -This shift progresses Sheila’s character from ignorance to moral clarity. -Sheila juxtaposes “a very pretty girl” with “that didn’t make it any better,” showing disillusionment with exploitative class attitudes. -the Juxtaposition highlights her growing collective social conscience.

Question 27

"She was a very pretty girl, that didn't make it any better" context

Answer 27

-Women were disenfranchised until gradual reforms in 1918 and 1928 gave them voting rights. -Sheila’s reflection exposes the dehumanising attitudes of the time and reveals her shift toward recognising Eva’s intrinsic worth. -This reflects Priestley’s critique of patriarchal and class-based oppression.

Question 28

what is Sheila's quote for responsibility?

Answer 28

"But these girls aren't cheap labour, they're people"

Question 29

"But these girls aren't cheap labour, they're people" - analysis

Answer 29

-Sheila’s empathy foils Mr Birling’s remorseless dismissal of Eva. -Priestley uses her as a dramatic vehicle to critique unscrupulous, laissez-faire capitalism that permits exploitation of the proletariat. -Sheila is emblematic of a growing collective social conscience, questioning the bourgeois focus on prioritising profits over people. -quote uses juxtaposition between “cheap labour” and “people.” -Sheila rejects her father’s dehumanising, exploitative view of workers as expendable resources, instead highlighting their humanity.

Question 30

"But these girls aren't cheap labour, they're people" context

Answer 30

-In the Edwardian period, women were often undervalued and seen as secondary to men, both socially and economically. -Sheila’s empathy highlights the interconnectedness of gender and class struggles, as she questions the dehumanising treatment of working-class women like Eva.

Question 31

What is Sheila's older vs younger quote?

Answer 31

-"At least I'm trying to tell the truth"

Question 32

"At least I'm trying to tell the truth" analysis

Answer 32

-Sheila’s epigrammatic self-awareness makes her an epitome of the younger generation’s scrupulous transformation, amplifying the generational divide. -Her line functions as an epigram, showing the collective social conscience Priestley advocates throughout the play. -The succinctness of her statement contrasts with her parents’ verbose justifications, exposing their remorseless attitudes vs. her scrupulous reflection. -Sheila’s use of epistemic modality (“I expect”) shows vulnerability, desire for emancipation, and moral conviction. -The tentativeness of “I expect” highlights human fallibility and supports Priestley’s call for a collective social conscience.

Question 33

"At least I'm trying to tell the truth" analysis

Answer 33

-After WWI and WWII, there was growing disillusionment with laissez-faire attitudes and a push for equality and reform. -Sheila’s line reflects this post-war critique, exposing unscrupulous practices of the Edwardian bourgeois.

Question 34

what is Sheila's 2nd quote for capitalist vs socialist?

Answer 34

-"No, he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves"

Question 35

-"No, he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves"

Answer 35

-Reflects the anagnorisis moment for Sheila and others as they confront the unscrupulous and exploitative consequences of their actions. -Priestley shows the interconnectedness between the Birlings’ decisions and Eva Smith’s demise. -The absurdity of “giving them the rope” aligns with Dadaism, symbolising the Birlings’ moral collapse. -Priestley uses disillusioned absurdity to expose bourgeois values that let exploitative behaviours persist unchecked. -RAD – The Inspector is a catalyst for Sheila’s progression into disillusionment, critiquing laissez-faire attitudes of the bourgeois.

Question 36

What is Eric's quote for responsibility?

Answer 36

"You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. Nor can mother. We did her in all right "

Question 37

"You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. Nor can mother. We did her in all right " analysis

Answer 37

-“we did her in all right” is a euphemism used to obscure the harsh reality of Eva’s death while accepting responsibility. -Eva’s death is a microcosm of proletariat exploitation by the nouveau riche and bourgeois. -This is emblematic of Priestley’s critique of the exploitative bourgeois, who prioritise self-preservation. -Eric’s tone contrasts sharply with his family; he shows remorse and accepts culpability. -Juxtaposition marks Eric’s growing collective social conscience, making him a foil to the unscrupulous mindset of Mr and Mrs Birling.

Question 38

"You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't. Nor can mother. We did her in all right" context

Answer 38

-Women were disenfranchised until gradual reforms in 1918 and 1928 empowered them politically. -Eric’s condemnation of his mother’s unscrupulous actions highlights intersectional feminism (feminism for all classes).

Question 39

What is Eric's quote for capitalist vs socialist?

Answer 39

-"You're beginning to pretend that nothing's really happened at all"

Question 40

"You're beginning to pretend that nothing's really happened at all" analysis

Answer 40

-Eric’s dialogue shows his Bildungsroman journey from irresponsibility to a deeper moral awareness. -His confrontation reflects emancipation from bourgeois values as he seeks to absolve himself. -Eva Smith is an allegory of the proletariat, her suffering is demonstrative of the harsh realities of an exploitative system. -Juxtaposition shows Eric opposing his parents’ remorseless mindset with collective social conscience. -Priestley makes the audience grapple with the moral weight of their choices.

Question 41

"You're beginning to pretend that nothing's really happened at all" context

Answer 41

-The Class System in Edwardian Britain had entrenched divisions between nouveau riche, bourgeois, and proletariat. -The Birlings’ laissez-faire attitude shows the dehumanising effect of this system, contrasted with Eric’s growing awareness.

Question 42

what is Eric's quote for social class

Answer 42

"It isn't if you cant go and work somewhere else "

Question 43

"It isn't if you cant go and work somewhere else " analysis

Answer 43

-Priestley uses juxtaposition to expose the exploitative bourgeois mindset and dehumanising reality faced by the proletariat. -Eric’s statement is emblematic of the proletariat’s struggle, limited by lack of social and career mobility and lack of trade unions. -The statement is a paradox, implying freedom while exposing working-class limitations. -Priestley critiques understanding of agency under capitalism and how the illusion of freedom hides systems denying emancipation to the proletariat.

Question 44

"It isn't if you cant go and work somewhere else " context

Answer 44

-this quote underscores how economic inequality fosters instability, linking proletariat conditions to wider societal conflict. -Priestley calls for collective accountability to achieve societal emancipation.

Question 45

What is Gerald's quote for responsibility?

Answer 45

"It's what happened to her after she left Mr Birling's work that's important"

Question 46

"It's what happened to her after she left Mr Birling's work that's important" analysis

Answer 46

-Juxtaposition between Gerald’s fleeting compassion and unscrupulous actions highlights the hypocrisy of the nouveau riche. -Gerald’s detachment from the moral depth of the situation reflects the dangers of absolving oneself instead of taking responsibility; supports the play as an allegory. -Anagnorisis functions as a dramatic vehicle; Gerald shows partial understanding, but his remorseless attitude blocks full accountability.

Question 47

"It's what happened to her after she left Mr Birling's work that's important" context

Answer 47

-Priestley, a WWI veteran and socialist advocate, co-founded the Common Wealth Party in 1945. -Gerald’s rejection of collective social conscience highlights the moral failings of the privileged Priestley critiques.

Question 48

what is Gerald's quote for older vs young?

Answer 48

-"And you think women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing thing's ?

Question 49

"And you think women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing thing's ? analysis

Answer 49

-Zeugma in Gerald’s use of "protected” links literal safeguarding of women to moral shielding from uncomfortable truths. -this duality exposes Gerald’s unscrupulous attitude, as he selectively applies protection to suit personal desires. -this moment acts as a microcosm of the Edwardian Gentleman, whose outward propriety masks exploitative desires — conflict between appearance and reality. -Paradox in Gerald’s question reveals hypocrisy: while he claims women should be shielded, his unscrupulous actions toward Eva directly contradict this belief.

Question 50

"And you think women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing thing's ? context

Answer 50

-Gerald’s actions reveal the hypocrisy of capitalist ideology —his concern for women hides exploitative behaviour Priestley seeks emancipation from.

Question 51

What is Gerald's quote for capitalism vs socialism?

Answer 51

-"Hear, Hear ! And I think my father would quite agree with that"

Question 52

"Hear, Hear ! And I think my father would quite agree with that" analysis

Answer 52

-Gerald is the archetype of the nouveau riche, a "man about town," perfectly aligning with charm and privilege. Priestley uses this as a dramatic vehicle to show the interconnectedness of actions and societal consequences. -Priestley uses rhetorical repetition ("Hear, hear!") to emphasise exploitative bourgeois values, showing a remorseless and dehumanising attitude shaped by capitalism.

Question 53

"Hear, Hear ! And I think my father would quite agree with that" context

Answer 53

-1912 Britain had laissez-faire capitalist policies, contrasting with Labour’s 1945 electoral victory and socialist shift. -Gerald’s approval of Birling’s capitalist views reinforces his inability to see the interconnectedness of social actions and consequences.

Question 54

what is the inspector's quote for responsibility?

Answer 54

-"But there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us"

Question 55

"But there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us" analysis

Answer 55

-Eva Smith’s plight as proletariat is shown through rhetorical repetition of "millions and millions and millions," reinforcing interconnectedness and systemic exploitation. – The Inspector is emblematic of urgent reform. Through anaphora, Priestley warns of a society that absolves itself of responsibility. -Repetition highlights remorseless exploitation of the proletariat (Eva/John Smith), acting as a dramatic vehicle for the persistent cycle of dehumanising systems that reduce individuals to mere statistics. -Anaphora in "millions and millions and millions" underscores the vastness and interconnectedness of society.

Question 56

"But there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us" context

Answer 56

-The Inspector warns that ignoring the plight of the proletariat leads to upheaval in the face of oppression—like the Russian Revolution

Question 57

what is the inspector's older vs younger quote?

Answer 57

"We often do on the young ones. They're more impressionable"

Question 58

"We often do on the young ones. They're more impressionable" analysis

Answer 58

-Priestley contrasts impressionability of youth with unscrupulous elders, showing the dehumanising nature of entrenched capitalist ideologies. -Personal pronouns like "we" and "they" create interconnectedness, encouraging societal reform. -"We" implies collective social conscience and universal guilt, exposing exploitative treatment of "the young ones."

Question 59

What is the inspector's quote for capitalism vs socialism?

Answer 59

-"It is better to ask for the earth than take it "

Question 60

"It is better to ask for the earth than take it "

Answer 60

- The Inspector is emblematic of the lack of socialism and the plight of the proletariat trying to unionise. -The contrast between "ask" and "take" symbolises scrupulous humility vs unscrupulous greed. Juxtaposition supports Priestley’s political diatribe against laissez-faire and exploitative elites. -Hyperbole in "ask for the earth" shows the stark difference between asking and taking. Highlights exploitative bourgeois greed and remorseless disregard for the proletariat.

Question 61

what is the inspector's quote for social class?

Answer 61

-"And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer"

Question 62

"And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer" analysis

Answer 62

-Irony in the quote shows “power” is used to manipulate as a “good customer”, exposing exploitative behaviour and hypocrisy of the bourgeois. -Diction of "used the power" conveys exploitative manipulation. It highlights the scrupulous character of the speaker, contrasting with the remorseless attitude of those abusing power. -RAD – The Inspector is emblematic of laissez-faire, with the proletariat left without “power”.

Question 63

"And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer" context

Answer 63

-Priestley’s An Inspector Calls is a political diatribe, criticising politics. The quote links to the theme of responsibility/guilt, showing how the privileged, like the “good customer,” absolve themselves of moral responsibility.

Question 64

grade 9thesis for the theme of responsibility

Answer 64

In An Inspector Calls, Priestley presents responsibility as a moral duty that the upper class often ignores. The Inspector acts as Priestley’s voice, urging each character—and the audience—to recognise their role in the suffering of others. While the older generation absolve themselves of blame, the younger characters begin to accept collective responsibility. Set in 1912 but written in 1945, the play reflects post-war hopes for a fairer society after Labour’s electoral victory. Priestley uses the theme of responsibility to criticise capitalism and promote his socialist vision of social interconnectedness and reform.

Question 65

grade 9 thesis for capitalist vs socialist

Answer 65

-In An Inspector Calls, Priestley critiques capitalist greed and promotes socialist values. Mr Birling represents selfish laissez-faire capitalism, ignoring his duty to others. The Inspector symbolises socialist responsibility, emphasising that society is interconnected. Written in 1945, after Labour’s electoral victory, the play reflects hopes for equality. Priestley warns that only collective care can prevent future social disasters.

Question 66

thesis for social class

Answer 66

Priestley uses An Inspector Calls to expose the divisions and injustice caused by the rigid Edwardian class system. The Birling family abuse their power to exploit the working class, especially Eva Smith. Through the Inspector, Priestley highlights the interconnectedness of all social classes and the need for equality. Set in 1912 but written in 1945, the play reflects changing attitudes towards class after two world wars. Priestley encourages audiences to challenge class prejudice and support a fairer, more inclusive society.

Question 67

thesis grade 9 for older vs younger theme

Answer 67

-In An Inspector Calls, Priestley highlights the divide between old and young in their response to social responsibility. The older generation, like Mr and Mrs Birling, are remorseless and cling to Edwardian values of class and control. In contrast, Sheila and Eric show growth and accept blame, reflecting hope for the future. Written in 1945, after World War II, the play encourages audiences to trust the younger generation to rebuild a fairer society. Priestley uses this conflict to criticise outdated capitalist views and promote social change.