An Inspector Calls

Arthur Birling

Mr Birling represents selfish capitalist views and is used by Priestley to criticise those who only care about profit and reputation.

Sheila Birling

Sheila changes throughout the play and learns from her mistakes, showing the hope Priestley places in the younger generation.

Sybil Birling

Mrs Birling is proud and cold; she represents upper-class arrogance and refuses to take any blame.

Eric Birling

Eric makes serious mistakes, but unlike his parents, he accepts responsibility and shows that people can change.

Gerald Croft

Gerald tries to help Eva, but ultimately avoids taking real responsibility and wants things to go back to normal.

Inspector Goole

The Inspector is Priestley's voice, pushing a moral message that we must care for others in society.

Theme of Responsibility

Priestley shows that we all share responsibility for others, and ignoring this causes harm.

Theme of Social Class

The play criticises the upper class for their snobbery and how they mistreat the working class.

Theme of Gender

Priestley explores how women, especially working-class women, are used and controlled by powerful men.

Theme of Generations

The younger generation is open to change, while the older generation clings to power and refuses to learn.

Mr Birling's Selfish Attitude

"A man has to mind his own business." — Act 1, before the Inspector arrives. Shows capitalist, individualistic views.

Birling's Foolish Confidence

"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable." — Act 1. Dramatic irony; shows his arrogance and ignorance.

Birling's View of Socialists

"Some of these cranks talk and write now..." — Act 1. He mocks socialism and social responsibility.

Sheila's Early Compassion

"These girls aren't cheap labour - they're people." — Act 1. Sheila shows early signs of empathy.

Sheila's Guilt and Change

"I'll never, never do it again." — Act 1. Shows remorse after learning about Eva's sacking.

What quote shows Sheila challenging her parents?

"You don't seem to have learnt anything." — Act 3. Shows maturity and her rejection of her parents' views.

What quote shows Mrs Birling's prejudice?

"Girls of that class—" — Act 2. She looks down on the working class.

What quote shows Mrs Birling's lack of guilt?

"I did nothing I'm ashamed of." — Act 2. She refuses to accept any responsibility.

What quote shows Mrs Birling blaming others?

"Go and look for the father of the child." — Act 2. Dramatic irony - she unknowingly blames Eric.

What quote shows Eric's bad relationship with his father?

"You're not the kind of father a chap could go to." — Act 3. Shows family tension and lack of support.

What quote shows Eric taking responsibility?

"We did her in all right." — Act 3. Eric admits guilt and sees the family's collective fault.

What quote shows Eric rejecting his parents' behaviour?

"I'm ashamed of you as well." — Act 3. He distances himself from their denial.

What quote shows Gerald avoiding change?

"Everything's all right now, Sheila." — Act 3. He wants to forget and move on.

What quote shows Gerald's sexist view of women?

"I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women." — Act 2. Reveals his objectification of women.

What quote shows the Inspector's key message?

"We are members of one body." — Act 3. Symbolises the play's socialist message.

What quote shows the Inspector blaming everyone?

"Each of you helped to kill her." — Act 3. Forces all the Birlings to reflect on their actions.

What quote shows Priestley's warning for society?

"They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." — Act 3. Refers to war; warns of the cost of ignoring others.

What quote shows Sheila's insight about the Inspector?

"He's giving us the rope so that we'll hang ourselves." — Act 2. Shows her awareness of how the Inspector works.

What quote shows upper-class assumptions about Eva?

"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" — Act 2. Mrs Birling implies working-class girls are greedy.

What quote shows the divide between generations?

"It frightens me the way you talk." — Act 3. Sheila is shocked by her parents' lack of regret.