An Inspector Calls key quotes

Eric: sport

I wasn’t in love with her […] she was pretty and a good sport

Eric: higher

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

Eric: killed

Then - you killed her. She came to you to protect me - and you turned her away - yes, and you killed her - and the child she’d have had too - my child - your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you, damn you

Eric: shouting

(Shouting) and I say the girl’s dead and we all helped to kill her - and that’s what matters-

Gerald: protected

And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?

Gerald: all right

Everything’s alright now Sheila - what about this ring?

Gerald: grateful

She was young and pretty and warm hearted - and intensely grateful. I became at once the most important person in her life - you understand?

Gerald: respectable

After all y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals

Gerald: obviously

She’s obviously had about as much as she can stand

Mr Birling: Mixed

Mixed up together, like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense

Mt Birling: mind

A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and-

Mr Birling: triumphantly

(Triumphantly) Proof positive. The whole story’s just a lot of moonshine. (He produces a huge sigh of relief)

Mr Birling: panic

(Looks in a panic stricken fashion) a police inspector is on his way here - to ask some - questions- (they stare guilty and dumbfounded)

Mr Birling: say

She’d had a lot to say - far too much - so she had to go.

Mr Birling: rubbish

Rubbish! If you don’t come down sharply on these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.

Mrs Birling: impertinently

I didn’t like her manner. She’d impertinently made use of our name

Mrs Birling: claiming

Claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl of her position

Mrs Birling: sorry

I’m very sorry, but I think she had only herself to blame

Mrs Birling: refuse

As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!

Mrs Birling: father

Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility

Sheila: ashamed

Makes me feel a bit less ashamed of us. You’re just beginning to pretend all over again.

Sheila: Gerald

Oh - Gerald - you’ve got it - is it the one you wanted me to have?

Sheila: distressed

(Rather distressed) I can’t help thinking about this girl - destroying herself so horribly - and I’ve been so happy tonight. Oh, I wish you hadn’t told me.

Sheila: cheap

But these girls aren’t cheap labour; they’re people.

Sheila: wall

You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do the inspector will just break it down.

Sheila: bitterly

(Bitterly) I suppose we’re all nice people now

Inspector Goole: learn

If men will not learn that lesson, they will be taught it in blood and fire and anguish. Good night.

Inspector Goole: Alone

We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.

Inspector Goole: Pay

You made her pay a heavy price for that. Now she’ll make you pay a heavier price

Inspector Goole: Impression

(He creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness)

Inspector Goole: Public

(Massively) public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges

Inspector Goole: Ask

It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.