AIC

Back: Mr Birling represents capitalist ideology and selfishness, believing people should prioritize themselves over society. Priestley criticises this view.

Front: A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.

Back: Birling’s arrogance is shown through dramatic irony, as the audience knows the Titanic will sink, exposing his false confidence.

Front: Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.

Back: Birling refuses to acknowledge his role in Eva Smith’s death, showing denial and lack of moral accountability.

Front: I can’t accept any responsibility.

Back: Sheila challenges class prejudice and begins to see workers as human beings, showing her moral development.

Front: These girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.

Back: Sheila starts to accept guilt, showing her growing awareness of social responsibility and personal accountability.

Front: So I’m really responsible?

Back: Sheila fully accepts responsibility and shows genuine remorse, contrasting with her parents’ denial.

Front: I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.

Back: Sheila reverses power roles, showing she has matured more than her parents through self-awareness.

Front: It’s you two who are being childish.

Back: Eric acknowledges the reality of Eva Smith’s death and begins to accept his role in it.

Front: The girl’s dead, isn’t she?

Back: Eric recognises collective responsibility, reinforcing Priestley’s message that society is interconnected.

Front: We all helped to kill her.

Back: Eric reveals emotional distance within the family, suggesting lack of support contributed to his actions.

Front: You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.

Back: Eric confesses fully, showing guilt and acceptance of responsibility for Eva Smith’s death.

Front: We did her in all right.

Back: Mrs Birling shows strong class prejudice, looking down on working-class women and lacking empathy.

Front: Girls of that class…

Back: Mrs Birling makes assumptions based on class, showing bias and reinforcing social stereotypes.

Front: As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money.

Back: Mrs Birling refuses to accept responsibility, showing hypocrisy and moral blindness.

Front: I did nothing I’m ashamed of.

Back: The Inspector emphasises collective responsibility, reinforcing Priestley’s socialist message.

Front: Each of you helped to kill her.

Back: Society is presented as interconnected; harm to one person affects everyone.

Front: We are members of one body.

Back: Priestley criticises the upper class for using power without accepting responsibility.

Front: Public men… have responsibilities as well as privileges.

Back: A warning of chaos and destruction if society continues to ignore injustice and inequality.

Front: Fire and blood and anguish.