english , inspector calls

“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.”

Birling represents selfish capitalism and individualism. mr birling

“Community and all that nonsense.”

He rejects social responsibility. mr birling

“There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere.”

Dramatic irony makes Birling seem foolish and arrogant. mr birling

“Girls of that class.”

Mrs Birling is deeply classist and prejudiced. mrs birling

“I think she had only herself to blame.”

She refuses to sympathise with Eva. mrs birling

“I accept no blame for it at all.”

She completely rejects responsibility. mrs birling

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”

Eric supports workers more than his father does. eric birling

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

Eric exposes poor family relationships. eric birling

“What we all did to her — that’s what matters.”

Eric understands Priestley’s message about collective responsibility. eric birling

“I became at once the most important person in her life.”

Gerald enjoyed his power over Eva. gerald croft

“She was young and fresh and charming.”

Gerald objectifies Eva despite caring for her. gerald croft

“Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”

Gerald wants to ignore the lesson and return to normal. gerald croft

“But these girls aren’t cheap labour — they’re people.”

Sheila learns empathy and challenges capitalism. Sheila birling

“So I’m really responsible?”

She honestly accepts guilt. Sheila birling

“You and I aren’t the same people who sat down to dinner here.”

Sheila changes morally throughout the play. Sheila birling

“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”

The Inspector delivers Priestley’s main moral message. Inspector goole

“They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”

Priestley warns of suffering if society ignores responsibility. Inspector goole

“There are millions and millions of Eva smiths and John smiths around the world “

represents the countless other ordinary people ruined by society. Inspecter goole