Inspector Calls Character and Theme Quotes

Arthur Birling

• Unsinkable absolutely unsinkable

• All mixed up together like bees in a hive

• I cant accept any responsibility

• Is there any reason why my wife should answer your questions

• Not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble

• The famous younger generation

Sheila Birling

• I wish you hadn’t told me

• These girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people

• I’ll never do it again

• It frightens me the way you talk

• I suppose were all nice people now

Gerald Croft

• I was awfully busy at the works

• I’ll make you as happy as you deserve

• I at once became the most important person in her life

• I insisted on a parting gift

• suddenly realised - taken it in properly - that shes dead

• Ive admitted it and I’m sorry Sheila

Sybil Birling

• [her husbands social superior]

• Youll have to get used to that

• Girls of that class-

• I blame the … father of the child

• Naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me

• In the morning you’ll be just as amused as we are

Eric Birling

• Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages

• That state when a chap easily turns nasty

• You’re beginning to pretend nothing much has happened

• My god - im not likely to forget

• Not the kind of father a chap could go to when hes in trouble

• The fact remains i did what i did

The Inspector

• [cutting through massively]

• We are members of one body

• There are millions and millions of Eva smiths and John smiths

• they will be taught in blood and fire and anguish

• [bitterly] I suppose were all nice people now

• There is no inspector goole

Responsibility

• If you don’t come down hard on these people they’d soon be asking for the Earth

• I’m desperately sorry

• Suddenly realised - taken it in properly - that she’s dead

• Look for the father of the child its his responsibility

• You’re beginning to pretend nothing much has happened

• We are members of one body

Age

• Not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble

• The famous younger generation

• Run along Sheila

• You’re not the type, you don’t get drunk

• Your beginning to pretend nothing much has happened

• They will be just as amused as we are

Gender

• Is there any reason why my wife should answer your questions

• You’ll have to get used to that

• Go into the drawing room and leave you men

• You ought to go to bed

• Something to make ‘em look prettier

• These girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people

Social Status

• I was an alderman for years

• These girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people

• Lady Croft feels you might have done better for yourself socially

• [her husbands social superior]

• Used her… as if she was an animal

• Public men… have responsibilities as well as privileges

Capitalism vs Socialism

• Working together for lower costs and higher prices

• Community and all that nonsense

• She seemed to be not a good cause

  ---

• We must share our guilt

• Fire and blood and anguish

• Lonely, half starved, she was desperate

Lies and Secrecy

• I was awfully busy at the works

• Why should I (recognise Eva)

• I stole some money

• [bitterly] I suppose were all nice people now

• The least you can do is keep quiet

• There is no inspector Goole