An Inspector Calls Quotes and Analysis

These flashcards cover key quotes and analyses from 'An Inspector Calls' focusing on themes of responsibility, social class, and the generational conflict.

What does Birling compare society to in his speech about community?

He compares it to 'bees in a hive,' dismissing the concept of community as nonsense.

What does the Inspector say about public men and their responsibilities?

He states that public men have responsibilities as well as privileges.

What does Mrs. Birling imply when she says, 'He certainly didn’t make me confess'?

She implies a lack of responsibility for her actions.

What does Sheila say about the treatment of lower-class girls?

She argues that they aren't cheap labour; they are people deserving of respect.

What does Eric mean when he says, 'I did what I did and mother did what she did'?

He emphasizes the collective responsibility of his family towards Eva.

What critique of the younger generation does Birling express?

He labels them as ‘know-it-alls’ who can’t even take a joke.

What does the Inspector suggest will happen if men do not learn their lessons?

He warns that they will be taught in 'fire and blood and anguish.'

How does Mrs. Birling regard her role when she says, 'I consider I did my duty'?

She sees her duty as upholding the social class system.

What significance does the Inspector's statement 'we are members of one body' convey?

It emphasizes the interconnectedness and collective responsibility of society.

What does Gerald imply when he says, 'we are respectable citizens, not criminals'?

He suggests a divide between the upper class and those they consider criminals, despite questionable ethics.

How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

She transforms from being sheltered and naive to becoming a champion for social justice.

What does the phrase 'fire and blood and anguish' symbolize in the context of the play?

It symbolizes the consequences of ignoring social responsibility and the suffering caused by capitalism.

What does the Inspector mean by stating, 'it is better to ask for the world than to take it'?

He criticizes the capitalist notion of taking for personal gain over communal sharing.

How is the concept of guilt portrayed through Birling's character?

He avoids acknowledging his guilt by referring to his actions as merely a 'scandal'.

What role does the lighting change from 'pink and intimate' to 'brighter and harder' play in the play?

It symbolizes the shift from ignorance to the harsh reality of their ethical responsibilities.