An Inspector Calls

Inspector

“There are millions and millions and millions of Eva smiths and John Smiths still with us” 

“All intertwined with our lives and what we think and say and do” 

 “The time will come... he will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish” 

“We have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt” 

“Burnt her insides out of course. She was in great agony.”

“Young women counting their pennies in dingy little back bedrooms”  

 “it's my duty to ask questions” 

how is inspector described? (stage directions)

“He creates an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” 

“In a plainish dark suit” 

“(cutting through massively)”

Mr Birling

“Unsinkable. Absolutely unsinkable.” // “germans dont want war

“Lower costs and higher prices” 

“The way these old cranks talk now... as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense” 

“I speak as a hard-headed businessman” 

“A man has to mind his own business and looks after himself... (interrupted by doorbell)” 

“If you don't come down sharply on some of these people they’d soon be asking for the earth” 

“As it happened almost eighteen months ago – nearly two years ago – obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl’s suicide. Eh inspector?”  

Mrs Birling

I don't suppose for a moment how we can understand why the girl committed suicide – girls of that class.” 

“you’ll have to get used to it just as I did” 

“deserving cases” +”I wasn’t satisfied with the girl’s claim”  

“A piece of gross impertinence... Naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case” + “a trifle impertinence”  

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

Gerald

In that case – as I’m rather more – upset – by this business”  

“I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women”  

“She was very pretty- soft brown hair and big dark eyes”  

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

“The girl saw me looking at her then gave me a glance that was nothing more than a cry for help” 

Eric

“I wasn't in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport” 

“I was in a state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatened to make a row” 

“It was all very vague”  

“And as you were saying dad, a man has to look after himself-” 

“(almost threatening her)” - Sheila is “frightened” 

“(nearly at breaking point) ... my child... – you killed them both – damn you, damn you” 

Sheila

“But those girls aren’t just cheap labor – they're people” 

“Look mummy isn't it a beauty?” 

“You mustn't try to build up a wall between us and that girl, if you do the inspector will just break it down” 

“(Laughs rather hysterically) why – you fool – he knows” 

“(rather wildly with laugh) No, he's giving us the rope so that we’ll hang ourselves”