An Inspector Calls Key Quotes

Act 1 Mr Birling: hard head

“hard headed businessman”

• Repetition: arrogance and self-importance

• Capitalist Ideology

• Lack of empathy: indifferent to the struggles of his workers.

Act 1 Mr Birling: low, high

“but are working together- for lower costs and higher prices”

• Said to Gerald at their engagement party

• Should be excited for engagement- only cares about business

• Juxtaposition

• Exploiting working class for more profit

Act 1 Mr Birling: titanic

“unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”

• Dramatic Irony

• Symbolism: titanic sinking foreshadows fall of capitalism

• Foolish

• Unreliable character: can’t trust him now or later

Act 3