Inspector Calls Quotes Flashcards
(34 cards)
“Mother I think it was cruel and vile”
Act 3, Sheila to Mrs B for ignoring Eva
“I behaved badly too[…] I’m ashamed of it”
Act 3, Sheila to her Father after he if trying to sweep it off
“Mummy sent me in to ask”
Act 1, entering drawing room to check in the men
“Young and impressionable”
Inspector
“I’m not a child”
Sheila
“They’d soon be asking for the earth!”
Birling, act 1, taking about not allowing higher pay for the women who work for him
“And then she got herself in to trouble there I suppose?”
Act 1, Birling, ha,img Eva for getting herself homless and vulnerable
“Public men, mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
Act 2, inspector, diadactic message about society,
“But I accept no blame for it at all”
Mrs Birling act 2, not talking responsibility for chucking Eva out when she was pregnant
“A girl of that sort
Act 2, Mrs Birling, shaming Eva
“She was pretty”
Eric aboit Eva, materialistic act 3
“Your not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”
Eric, act 3 to mr Birling when asked why he didn’t tell him about Eva instead fo stealing money
Sheila uses imagery when she talks of her mother’s attempts to ‘build up a kind of wall’; implying the metaphorical distance Mrs Birling creates between the classes. When Sheila warns the others that the Inspector is ‘giving us rope so that we hang ourselves’, she once again uses a metaphor to create a visual image of the way the Inspector skilfully manipulates characters into confessing their sins.
How does priestly express Mr Birling
Priestley uses Birling as a symbol of the callous and heartlessness of capitalism. Through his character he is criticizing the complacency of capitalist prosperity.
How does priestly express Mrs Birling
Priestley uses Mrs Birling to epitomize all that is wrong with society. She represents the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes and shows no remorse in her cruel treatment of Eva Smith.
How does Priestly present Sheila
Priestley uses the character of Sheila to represent his own views of social responsibility.
She offers hope for the future and Priestley uses Shelia as an example of people’s changing attitudes towards those less fortunate than themselves.
How does priestly present Eric
Eric has the most active social conscience – He represents the younger generation and how the other hope of the future.At the end of the play Eric shows remorse and his acceptance is evidence of his moral fibre.
How does priestly present Gerald
Priestley uses the character of Gerald Croft to throw light both on the Birling parents who are too set in their social ways to be changed by the Inspector’s visit, and on the Birling children who are certainly very responsive to the Inspector’s message, but possibly in a slightly naïve and hysterical way. Gerald acts as a bridge between the two generations.
How does priestly present Inspector Goole
The omniscient Inspector is used by Priestley to further convey his views on collective / social responsibility. The Inspector is used very effectively to highlight the corruption and the selfish attitudes of the twentieth century society.
How does priestly present Eva Smith/daisy renton
In many ways she is a counterpoint to the Inspector. Like him, she remains a symbolic figure and one who carries the weight of the plot. Priestley uses Eva as a symbol of the common man or woman and reminds us of our need to take responsibility for our actions and their impact on others.
How does priestly present Edna
Edna is another example of the invisible working class and she helps to create an impression of the Birling’s wealthy lifestyle.
Edna illustrates the themes of inequality, power, responsibility and class.
Sheila act 1
-she is confronted with the fact that she had a party in eva Smith’s death and take responsibility for what she has done we see a change in her character and she comes more out of her shell and confrontational with her parents.
“Why, you fool, he knows. Of course he knows.” Talking about the inspector and the part stable played in eva‘s death.
“No, not really. It was my own fault.” She’s taking responsibility for what she’s done.
“(She looks at it closely, recognises it with a little cry, gives a half stifled sobs and then runs out.) stage direction of when Sheila is confronted with a photo of Daisy Renton she is aggravated and she knows eva somehow she’s acting like a child and is trying to contain herself.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
Mr Birling scene 1
At the start of the play he comes across as being arrogant, making long speeches about his predictions for the future. He also makes assertions about how a man should look out for number one and not waste time helping others.
“And then she got herself into trouble there, I suppose?” Blaming Eva for everything that happened because of his oppressive views on women. Lack of responsibility
“Rubbish!…they’d soon be asking for the Earth” Talking about how if he gives poor people and his workers what they wanted a small amount no ask for more more more. Justifying why he didn’t listen to their needs and why he fired eva
“And I speak as a hardheaded Businessman” Explaining why he has the views he has, he sees himself as strong and thinks he is above it because he is a businessman, Image of capitalism
Mrs Burling act two
Mrs. Birling refuses to play into the Inspector’s motive to awaken the Birlings to their responsibility for the girl’s death. She sees her role on the charity organization not as to help people but to wield influence in deciding who does and doesn’t deserve aid.
“I’m very sorry. But I think She only had herself to blame”-Selfish and she looks down on them for no reason and it’s uncaring. Judgemental veiws.
“I did nothing I’m ashamed of all that won’t bear investigation” -Very stubborn using power for negative influence, prejudiced.
“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that was simply absurd in a girl in her position” - judging eva by class, lower class on allowed feelings.
