An Inspector Calls Key Quotations and Analysis

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering major quotes, character representations, and thematic analysis from An Inspector Calls.

"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" (Act 1)

Dramatic irony showing Mr. Birling's false confidence in modern technology and his own judgment.

"A man has to make his own way and look after himself and his family" (Act 1)

Summarizes Mr. Birling's rigid capitalist and individualist philosophy.

"Community and all that nonsense" (Act 1)

Demonstrates Mr. Birling's complete dismissal of social responsibility.

"I can't accept any responsibility" (Act 1)

Highlights Mr. Birling's moral blindness and refusal to link his actions to Eva Smith's death.

"Girls of that class" (Act 2)

Shows Mrs. Birling's prejudice and belief that working-class women lack morals.

"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money" (Act 2)

Reveals Mrs. Birling's cynical assumptions about the poor.

"But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people" (Act 1)

Marks Sheila's early shift in empathy and challenge to her father's views.

"You mustn't try to build up a wall between us and that girl the inspector will break it down" (Act 2)

Uses a wall as a metaphor for the family's attempt to shield themselves from reality.

"The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything" (Act 2)

Accuses Sheila's parents of moral failure and highlights the generational divide.

"You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble" (Act 1)

Exposes the emotional distance and failure within the Birling family.

"We did her in all right" (Act 3)

Uses blunt, honest language to acknowledge the family's collective role in the tragedy.

"And I say the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her - and that's what matters" (Act 3)

Demonstrates Eric's refusal to let his family off the hook, even if the Inspector turns out to be fake.

"We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other" (Act 3)

The core socialist message of the play, delivered by Inspector Goole.

"If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish" (Act 3)

A prophetic warning connecting individual selfishness to global catastrophes like world wars.