an inspector calls

Flashcards on J.E.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls using quotations to understand the play.

"Unsinkable. Absolutely unsinkable."

Uttered by Mr. Birling, this quote employs dramatic irony as the audience knows the Titanic sank in 1912, undermining Birling's societal opinions.

"The way some of these cranks talk and write now you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else."

Birling's view that people don't have obligations to each other, labeling those who think otherwise (like socialists) as 'cranks'.

"If you don't come down sharply on some of these people they'd soon be asking for the earth."

Birling's perspective on his workers, viewing them collectively and implying they'll always demand more if given anything.

"But she was very pretty and looked as though she could take care of herself. I couldn't be sorry for her."

Sheila's initial justification for disliking Eva Smith, based on the assumption that her beauty would ensure her ability to provide for herself.

"Girls of that class, I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide."

Mrs. Birling's prejudiced view attributing Eva's suicide to her lower class origins, suggesting an inherent lack of understanding.

"I hate those hard eyed, doe faced women. But then I noticed a girl who looked quite different. She was very pretty."

Highlights Gerald's frequenting of places with prostitutes (hard eyed, doe faced women) contrasting with his view of Eva/Daisy as 'very pretty'.

"Yes. I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence, quite deliberate as naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case."

Mrs. Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith due to what she perceived as Eva's impertinence labeling herself as 'Mrs. Birling'.

"He should be made an example of, if the girl's death is due to anybody, then it's due to him."

Mrs. Birling shifts blame assuming the father of Eva's child is a working-class man, before realizing it is her own son.

"There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths still left with us intertwined with what we think and say and do."

The Inspector's concluding message, emphasizing the interconnectedness of people and the widespread existence of individuals like Eva Smith.

"There's every excuse for what both your mother and I did."

Burling's dismissal of responsibility by excusing his and his wife's actions and labeling the Inspector a 'crank'.