An Inspector Calls - Master Quotes

Responsibility Quotes

"We are responsible for each other." / "A chain of events." / "We don't live alone. We are members of one body." / "I can't accept any responsibility."

"We are responsible for each other."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Responsibility, Socialism, Class. Analysis: The collective pronoun “we” rejects Birling’s individualism. Priestley presents responsibility as something shared across society rather than limited to personal interests.

"A chain of events."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Responsibility, Guilt, Structure. Analysis: The image of a “chain” suggests that each person’s actions are connected. Priestley shows that the characters cannot isolate themselves from the consequences of what happened to Eva Smith.

"We don't live alone. We are members of one body."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Responsibility, Socialism, Class. Analysis: “One body” suggests society should work collectively rather than selfishly. Priestley argues that social divisions do not remove people’s responsibilities towards others.

"I can't accept any responsibility."

Speaker: Mr Birling. Themes: Responsibility, Capitalism, Generational Divide. Analysis: Birling refuses to admit moral blame even after hearing Eva’s story. Priestley presents him as stubbornly committed to protecting himself rather than changing.

Class Quotes

"But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people." / "Girls of that class -" / "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth." / "a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."

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

Speaker: Sheila Birling. Themes: Class, Responsibility, Generational Divide. Analysis: Sheila challenges her father’s view of workers as “cheap labour”. The contrast with “people” shows her growing awareness that capitalism can reduce human beings to economic value.

"Girls of that class -"

Speaker: Mrs Birling. Themes: Class, Prejudice, Responsibility. Analysis: Mrs Birling dismisses Eva before even finishing the sentence. Priestley shows how class prejudice shapes her judgement and prevents sympathy.

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

Speaker: Mr Birling. Themes: Class, Capitalism, Power. Analysis: Birling exaggerates ordinary demands for fair wages into “asking for the earth”. Priestley presents him as fearful of losing profit and authority.

"a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."

Speaker: Mr Birling. Themes: Responsibility, Capitalism, Class. Analysis: The repetition of “himself” and “his own” emphasises Birling’s selfish outlook. Priestley presents this attitude as the opposite of social responsibility.

Generational Divide Quotes

"But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people." / "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices." / "You're behaving like an hysterical child." / "It's you two who are being childish - trying not to face the facts."

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

Speaker: Sheila Birling. Themes: Generational Divide, Class, Responsibility. Analysis: Sheila distances herself from her father’s language and begins recognising the humanity of the workers he exploits.

"Why shouldn't they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices."

Speaker: Eric Birling. Themes: Generational Divide, Class, Responsibility. Analysis: Eric exposes the hypocrisy of businessmen criticising workers for wanting more money while pursuing profit themselves. Priestley presents the younger generation as more willing to challenge capitalist attitudes.

"You're behaving like an hysterical child."

Speaker: Mr Birling. Themes: Generational Divide, Gender, Power. Analysis: Birling dismisses Sheila’s concerns rather than taking them seriously. The word “hysterical” reflects patronising attitudes towards women and younger people.

"It's you two who are being childish - trying not to face the facts."

Speaker: Sheila Birling. Themes: Generational Divide, Responsibility, Guilt. Analysis: Sheila reverses the usual parent-child dynamic by accusing her parents of immaturity. Priestley presents the younger generation as more honest and capable of change.

Gender Quotes

"When you're married you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business." / "You'll have to get used to that, just as I had." / "as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person." / "I wasn't in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport -"

"When you're married you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business."

Speaker: Mr Birling. Themes: Gender, Power, Patriarchy. Analysis: Birling assumes that men’s work and authority matter more than women’s opinions. Priestley presents patriarchal attitudes as normal within upper-class society.

"You'll have to get used to that, just as I had."

Speaker: Mrs Birling. Themes: Gender, Patriarchy, Marriage. Analysis: Mrs Birling accepts male dominance as something women are expected to tolerate. Priestley shows how sexist expectations become normalised across generations.

"as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person."

Speaker: Eric Birling. Themes: Gender, Exploitation, Guilt. Analysis: Eric realises he treated Eva as an object rather than a human being. The nouns “animal” and “thing” show how women are dehumanised and exploited by men in the play.

"I wasn't in love with her or anything - but I liked her - she was pretty and a good sport -"

Speaker: Gerald Croft. Themes: Gender, Exploitation, Class. Analysis: Gerald focuses on Eva’s appearance and usefulness to him rather than her feelings. Priestley criticises how powerful men exploit vulnerable women while avoiding consequences.

Guilt and Change Quotes

"we helped to kill her." / "we have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt." / "The money's not the important thing. It's what happened to the girl." / "you're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did."

"we helped to kill her."

Speaker: Eric Birling. Themes: Guilt, Responsibility, Change. Analysis: Eric accepts collective responsibility through the pronoun “we”. Priestley presents guilt as necessary for moral growth and change.

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

Speaker: Sheila Birling. Themes: Guilt, Responsibility, Generational Divide. Analysis: Sheila understands that guilt cannot simply be ignored once the truth is exposed. Priestley presents self-awareness as the first step towards change.

"The money's not the important thing. It's what happened to the girl."

Speaker: Eric Birling. Themes: Responsibility, Guilt, Class. Analysis: Eric rejects his parents’ focus on money and reputation. Priestley contrasts materialism with genuine concern for human suffering.

"you're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did."

Speaker: Mrs Birling. Themes: Guilt, Class, Responsibility. Analysis: Mrs Birling refuses to reconsider her actions even after learning the consequences. Priestley presents upper-class pride as a barrier to change.

Inspector Goole / Priestley's Message Quotes

"Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges." / "One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us." / "And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." / "It's better to ask for the earth than to take it."

"Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Responsibility, Power, Class. Analysis: The Inspector argues that privilege should come with moral responsibility. Priestley criticises wealthy businessmen who ignore the effects of their actions on others.

"One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Class, Responsibility, Socialism. Analysis: Eva Smith becomes symbolic of ordinary working-class people. The repetition of “millions” widens the focus from one girl to a larger social problem.

"And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Responsibility, Conflict, Socialism. Analysis: The violent imagery of “fire and blood and anguish” suggests that ignoring social responsibility leads to suffering and conflict. Priestley warns his audience about the consequences of selfishness and inequality.

"It's better to ask for the earth than to take it."

Speaker: Inspector Goole. Themes: Class, Responsibility, Justice. Analysis: The Inspector defends workers demanding fair treatment rather than exploiting others for profit. Priestley challenges Birling’s belief that workers should simply accept poor conditions.