Lightup Hub AIC quotes

KEY WORD ACRONYM:

DEPRECAIDS

Disillusioned (see the reality) – Sheila and eric become disillusioned with capitalism and see how exploitative it is

Exploitative

Political diatribe

Remorseless/remorseful

Emancipation (freedom) sheilas emancipation she represents women

Collective social conscience

Absolve (free from) guilt/ responsibility

Interconnectedness/ interconnected

Dehumanizing

Scrupulous / unscrupulous (moral/ immoral)

“as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense”
MR B - CVS

This reinforces his sanctimonious nature as he degrades and mocks the lower classes being alike to “bees” and trivializes community and interconnected responsibility

The hyphen prompts a theatrical pause, making the actor portraying Mr. Birling to hesitate before “community” – reflects his physical repulsion to the concept, suggesting an inability to even verbalize it.

Mr Birling is a microcosm for capitalism. Mr birling personifies capitalism , priestly purposefully vilifies him from the offset. He is vilifying mr birling and capitalism as a whole.

"Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I'll -" (Act 2)

Quote: "hysterical young fool"
Effect: Shows Mr Birling’s exaggerated, demeaning attitude toward Eric.
Analysis:

• "Fool" dehumanises Eric and shows lack of respect.

• Birling prioritises control over family respect.

• Priestley uses this to highlight the generational divide:

  • Eric = growing social conscience

  • Birling = selfish, rigid worldview.

He refers to the "titanic" as "unsinkable absolutely unsinkable"

Quote: “Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Theme: Responsibility
Effect:

• Dramatic irony exposes Birling’s ignorance.

• Mirrors how he denies social responsibility.

• Priestley criticises arrogant leaders who ignore consequences.

• Titanic = symbol of disaster caused by irresponsibility.

"There'll be a public scandal.."

(guilt)

Quote: “There’ll be a public scandal…” – Mr Birling
Theme: Guilt / Responsibility

Grade 9 Analysis:

• Birling’s concern is with his reputation, not genuine remorse.

• The noun “scandal” shows he fears social embarrassment, not Eva’s death.

• Priestley criticises the upper class’s shallow guilt — driven by self-interest, not morality.

• Highlights his failure to accept moral responsibility, contrasting with the younger generation.

Effect on audience:

• Evokes frustration; makes us question who truly deserves power in society.

“Girls of that class-“ MRS.B

The connotation of the term “girl” connotes innocence and vulnerability, showcasing her willingness to exploit the vulnerable in society and rationalize it for capitalist advancement.

The demonstrative adjective on ‘that’ dismisses them as an aggregate inferior and homogeneous group that all behave in the same way

Mrs birling is entirely governed by the arrogance of her social status – she cant even bring herself to specify Evas social class considering it so far beneath her

"i consider i did my duty"

(repsonsibility)
MRS.B

• The phrase “I consider” shows subjective morality – she defines duty by her own standards, not by compassion or truth.

• The noun “duty” is misused to justify her cold, detached actions, showing her refusal to accept moral responsibility.

• Priestley criticises the upper classes’ tendency to hide behind roles and institutions rather than show empathy.

• Contrasts with the Inspector’s idea of shared, collective responsibility.

Effect on audience:

• Creates tension and frustration; exposes the flaws in class-based morality.

• Encourages the audience to reflect on their own definitions of duty and responsibility.

“He certainly didn’t make me confess”
MRS.B

The verb ‘confess’ has connotations of crime – implicitly ridding herself of responsibility as she wants to uphold her pristine public façade.

The imperative verb “make” hinds at another way she is trying to reject responsibility. As she is of higher class she is trying to reassert this power of her social superiority over the inspector.

She feels that accepting responsibility is synonymous with a loss of power.

Priestley uses this to indict how capitalists see responsibility equal to a loss of power hence society should favor a socialist approach over a capitalist one.

[a cold woman]
MRS.B

In the stage directions she is described as a [cold woman] which would be an oxymoron at the time as women were supposed to be loving and maternal so its surprising how neglectful Mrs Birling is to Evas story.

“But these girls aren’t cheap labor they’re people”
SHEILA

Connotation of ‘girls’ connotes innocence and vulnerability – she’s recognized how exploitative capitalists prey on the disadvantaged social classes. She is repulsed by the inhumanity of her family. Shes become disillusioned with capitalism.

Humanistic perspective : The inspectors arrival frees her from the shackles of her oppressive privileged existence. She develops a humanistic outlook, valuing individuals over profit.

This metamorphosis (change) symbolises the advancement of womens rights in 1945 depicting womens empowerment and their role in advocating for social justice for all opressed members of society

“What he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish”
SHEILA

The inspectors proxy: Sheila serves as his proxy, exemplified by her precise emulation of the polysyndeton on “and.” She attempts to emphasise the eternal consequences of lacking social conscience.

Personal pronoun : Sheila is now a moral compass to her family, showcasing her evolution towards empathy as her use of the personal pronoun “me” shows he now experiences genuine remorse.

Her awareness extends beyond personal remorse, she has developed an understanding of the systemic consequences of capitalist ideologies on society as a whole.

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices”
ERIC

Rhetorical question: Eric is questioning the ethics behind his father’s exploitative attitude towards the lower social classes – he deviates from the [half shy] presentation into the [assertive] one foreshadowed in the offset.

He’s developing his moral social conscience.

Alliteration: puts emphasis on the outdated and unjust social systems that have been created and upheld by older generation members like his parents.

But don’t forget I’m ashamed of you as well – yes both of you”
ERIC

The term “ashamed” connotes embarrassment revealing Eric’s deep disillusionment and embarrassment because of his realisation of capitalists inherent exploitation of individuals.

Hyphen: It simplifies the sentence, akin to the inspectors concise speech, Eric is simplifying to his obdurate parents of the older generation the importance of collective social responsibility

The inspectors concise use of words denotes authority, a trait mirrored by Eric as he speaks concisely to showcase his newfound power rooted in moral conviction.

“It is better to ask for the earth than take it”
INSPECTOR

Syntax on ‘ask’: prior to “take” reflects the hierarchical order of importance crucial for societal collective responsibility – we must “ask” and share resources in contrast to the individualistic capitalist notion of “taking” for personal gain.

PREISTLY IS VILIFYING CAPITALISM

To “take” carries connotations of stealing, a notion strongly condemned in biblical teachings. Religion was the foundation of morality in the Edwardian era, capitalist ideals disregard these teachings.

Juxtaposingly, socialism can be viewed as a return to societys moral foundations, emphasizing communal values and collective responsibility over individualistic desire.

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

Polysyndeton of 'and' reflects the perpetual torment awaiting those who avoid their moral and civic responsibilities.

Biblical allusions: Inspector could be portrayed as an agent of G-d through the hellish allusions. He is trying to bring the Birlings back to the foundation of morality - religion.

"We are members of one body" (Act 3)
INSPECTOR

• Biblical allusion (St Paul) – evokes moral authority and spiritual unity, linking to Christian values of caring for others.

• The metaphor “one body” symbolises interconnectedness – everyone’s actions affect others.

• Priestley uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece to promote collective social responsibility.

• Contrasts sharply with the individualism of Mr and Mrs Birling.

Effect on audience:

• Inspires post-war audiences to embrace social change and welfare values.

• Reinforces Priestley’s socialist message: society must work together with empathy and accountability.

ROCS Flashcard – An Inspector Calls Context

R – Responsibility (Political Shift)

• 1912: Laissez-faire capitalism, little government help.

• 1945: Labour landslide victory = shift to socialism & shared responsibility.

• Link: Birling = capitalist past; Sheila & Eric = socialist future.

O – Oppression (Class & Gender Inequality)

• 1912: Women disenfranchised, poor had little social mobility.

• 1945: Women's war efforts valued; Equal Franchise Act gave lower classes more voice.

• Link: Sheila’s voice grows = women’s power; Eva = symbol of oppressed poor.

C – Capitalism Critique (Priestley’s Message)

• Priestley = co-founder of socialist party, critical of capitalism & class abuse.

• Uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece to call for social justice.

S – Structure of Society (Change Over Time)

• 1912 society = rigid, unfair.

• 1945 audience challenged to build a fairer, united future.

• Priestley urges collective action: “We are members of one body.”