An Inspector Calls - Quotes

An Inspector Calls - Quotes

1. Sheila Birling

   • "I suppose we are all nice people now"
     • They should listen to the Inspector to become better people
   • "It frightens me the way you talk"
   • "All last summer when you hardly ever came near me"
     • Trying to trick Gerald

2. Eric Birling

   • "It's still the same rotten story"
   • "We did her in all right"
   • "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages?"
     • Eric is becoming a socialist instead of listening to the capitalist views of his mother and father

3. Mrs Birling

   • "Girls of that class"
     • Showing capitalist views of how they are better than everyone else
   • "Her husband's social superior"
   • "I did nothing I'm ashamed of"
     • Trying not to take blame for what is done

4. Inspector Goole

   • "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges"
     • Trying to make Mr Birling realise what he has done and take responsibility
   • "Fire and blood and anguish"
     • Telling the Birlings and the audience that if they do not look after each other and take responsibility then there will be chaos
   • "One line of inquiry at a time"

5. Mr Birling

   • "Unsinkable"
     • Shows dramatic irony, which is used to make Mr Birling look like a fool
   • "You're the one i blame for all this...there'll be a public scandal"
     • worried about his reputation more than the death of Eva Smith (Capitalist views)
   • "Lower costs and higher prices"

6. Gerald Croft

   • "What about this ring then?"
   • "We've been had"
     • Still trying to get out of situation
   • "You seem like a nice well behaved family"