GCSE AN INSPECTOR CALLS REVISION AQA

1 month...

What does Mr. Birling confidently claim about the Titanic?

"Sinkable, absolutely unsinkable

What does Mr. Birling say that shows his capitalist priorities in the marriage?

"Crofts and Birlings are working together – for lower costs and higher prices."

What line shows Mr. Birling’s individualistic, capitalist attitude right before being interrupted?

"A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and –"

What simile does Mr. Birling use to mock socialism?

"All mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense."

How does Mr. Birling explain firing Eva for asking for a raise?

"This girl (...) she’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go."

What short line from Mr. Birling shows his dismissal of workers’ demands?

"I refused, of course."

How does Mr. Birling try to deny any responsibility for Eva’s death?

"Obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl’s suicide."

What does Mr. Birling say about workers asking for better conditions?

"If you don’t come down sharply on these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth."

What blunt statement does Mr. Birling use to describe firing Eva Smith?

"I discharged her."

What sarcastic remark does Mr. Birling make about the younger generation before the phone rings again?

(Pointing at Eric and Sheila) The famous younger generation who knows it all. And they can’t even take a joke

What does Mr. Birling say that reveals his obsession with social status when trying to impress the Inspector?

"He's an old friend of mine (...) we play golf together."

What is the Inspector’s curt response to Mr. Birling’s golf comment?

I don't play golf

What awkward compliment does Mr. Birling make that reveals his lack of aristocratic polish?

"Good dinner too, Sybil. Tell cook from me."

What does the stage direction say about Mrs. Birling’s entrance that shows her disconnect from the mood?

Mrs Birling enters, briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little scene

How is Mrs. Birling described in the stage directions at the start of the play?

A rather cold woman and her husband's social superior

What shocked line does Mrs. Birling utter about Alderman Meggarty?

Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonigh

How does Mrs. Birling stubbornly reject any guilt or remorse?

Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of you have no power to make me change my mind.

What dismissive line does Mrs. Birling say about Eva’s supposed morality?

She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.

What line shows Mrs. Birling’s classist assumption about girls like Eva refusing money?

As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!

What childish line does Sheila say before her character transformation begins?

Look – mummy – isn't it a beauty?

What empathetic quote does Sheila use to challenge her father’s capitalist views?

But these girls aren't cheap labour – they're people.

How does Sheila express guilt and growing awareness about Eva’s fate?

I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse. Did it make much difference to her?

What does Sheila say about the Inspector’s emotional effect on her?

No, because I remember what he said (...) what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish (...) I can't listen to any more of it.

What admission does Eric make about his actions when drunk?

Yes, I insisted – it seems. I’m not very clear about it (...) I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty

What emotional accusation does Eric make to his mother?

You killed her – and (...) my child – your own grandchild (...) you don't understand anything. You never did.

What does Eric say to highlight how his parents are pretending nothing has changed?

(Bursting out) You're beginning to pretend as if nothing's really happened at all. And I can't see it like that. The girl's still dead, isn't she?

What shocked line does Gerald say that suggests he cared for Eva?

My God!... I've suddenly realized (...) – that she's dead –"

What stage direction implies Mrs. Birling isn’t phased by the ongoing events?

Mrs Birling enters, briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little scene

How is Mrs. Birling described at the beginning of the play?

"A rather cold woman and her husband's social superior."

What does Mrs. Birling say that shows her ignorance about Alderman Meggarty?

"Well, really! Alderman Meggarty! I must say, we are learning something tonight."

What quote shows Mrs. Birling refusing to take responsibility?

"Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of (...) you have no power to make me change my mind."

What does Mrs. Birling say to insult Eva’s feelings and class?

“Girls of that class—”

What quote shows Mrs. Birling belittling Eva’s emotional response?

She was claiming elaborate fine feelings... that were simply absurd for a girl in her position.”

How does Sheila respond to the Inspector's moral pressure?

“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.”

Which quote shows Sheila’s emotional response to the Inspector’s method?

“I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet.”

How does Sheila react to her parents’ refusal to change?

“You’re pretending everything’s just as it was before.”

What does Eric say to show how Eva reacted to his theft?

“She wouldn’t take any more money from me.”

Which quote reflects Eric’s realisation of their shared guilt?

“We did her in all right.”

How does Eric critique his upbringing?

“You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.”

What shows Gerald’s initial emotional reaction to Eva’s death?

“I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be.”

What quote shows Gerald's justification for ending the affair?

“I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me.”

How does Gerald describe Eva when he first met her?

“She looked young and fresh and charming and altogether out of place down there.”

What does Gerald say about helping Eva with accommodation?

“I insisted on Daisy moving into those rooms.”

What warning does the Inspector give about future consequences?

“If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”

How does the Inspector describe Eva’s situation at the end of his questioning?

“She needed not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness.”

What line does the Inspector use to summarise the family's failure?

“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”

Which quote shows Birling’s confidence in the Inspector being fake?

“There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did – it turned out unfortunately, that’s all.”

How does Birling react to the idea of scandal more than death?

“I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List.”

How does Mr. Birling dismiss the younger generation's views?

“The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.”

What quote highlights Sheila's view that the Inspector’s visit was real morally, even if not factually?

“Everything we said had happened really had happened. If it didn’t end tragically, then that’s lucky for us.”

How does Eric respond to the family trying to brush things off?

“You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t.”

What does Sheila say to show she’s not ready to forgive or forget?

“It frightens me the way you talk.”

How does Mrs. Birling react to the possibility of it being a hoax?

“In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are.”

How does Birling describe his business approach?

“A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too.”

What quote does the Inspector use to challenge selfishness?

“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.”

How does the Inspector contrast their views with his own?

“You’re offering the money at the wrong time.”

What ironic line ends the play and reinstates the moral reckoning?

“That was the police. A girl has just died – on her way to the infirmary – after swallowing some disinfectant.”