An Inspector Calls

Responsibility – Mr. Birling

“If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”

Analysis: The phrase “very awkward” downplays moral responsibility, reducing it to an inconvenience rather than an ethical duty.

Wider society: Reflects the capitalist mindset that prioritizes profit over people, showing how business owners like Birling avoid responsibility for their workers’ well-being.

Priestley’s message: Criticises the self-serving attitude of the wealthy and highlights the dangers of refusing social responsibility.

Responsibility – Mr. Birling

“I can’t accept any responsibility.”

Analysis: The absolute phrase “can’t accept any” highlights his complete refusal to acknowledge fault.

“Accept” implies that responsibility is a choice rather than a duty.

Wider society: Demonstrates how the upper class evades accountability, believing that wealth shields them from consequences.

Priestley’s message: Warns against ignoring responsibility, as it leads to social injustice and eventual downfall.

Age – Mr. Birling

“The famous younger generation who know it all.”

Analysis: The sarcastic tone mocks the younger generation’s concern for social issues.

“Famous” suggests he views their progressive attitudes as overhyped and naive.

Wider society: Highlights the generational divide between older, traditional capitalists and younger, socially aware individuals.

Priestley’s message: Encourages the audience to side with the younger generation, who represent change and social responsibility.

Age – Mr. Birling

“Now look at the pair of them—the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.”

Analysis: The repetition of “famous younger generation” reinforces his mockery.

“They can’t even take a joke” dismisses the seriousness of their concerns, highlighting his ignorance.

Wider society: Shows how older generations belittle youth movements for social change.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes those who refuse to learn from younger generations, portraying them as resistant to progress.

Gender – Mr. Birling

“Clothes mean something quite different to a woman. Not just something to wear—and not only something to make ’em look prettier.”

Analysis: The phrase “quite different” assumes that women are shallow and materialistic.

“Look prettier” implies that their main concern is appearance rather than intellect.

Wider society: Reflects the patriarchal view that women are defined by their looks rather than their contributions.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the sexist attitudes of the upper class and challenges traditional gender roles.

Gender – Mr. Birling

“She had a lot to say—far too much—so she had to go.”

Analysis: “Far too much” suggests that Birling sees outspoken women as a threat.

“Had to go” implies that women should not challenge male authority.

Wider society: Demonstrates how working-class women were punished for asserting themselves.

Priestley’s message: Exposes the oppression of women in both social and economic contexts.

Class – Mr. Birling

“A man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family too, of course.”

Analysis: The repetition of “has to” emphasizes his rigid belief in self-reliance. “Of course” suggests that family is an afterthought compared to individual success.

Wider society: Reflects capitalist values, where wealth is prioritized over social responsibility.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the selfish mindset of the upper class and promotes a more collective, socialist approach.

Class – Mr. Birling

“Community and all that nonsense.”

Analysis: The dismissive phrase “all that nonsense” undermines the importance of social responsibility.

Wider society: Highlights the conflict between capitalism and socialism, with Birling rejecting collective responsibility.

Priestley’s message: Encourages the audience to reject Birling’s individualism and embrace community values.

Responsibility – Mrs. Birling

“I accept no blame for it at all.”

Analysis: The absolute statement “no blame at all” highlights her complete refusal to take responsibility.

“Accept” implies she has the power to decide whether she is guilty or not.

Wider society: Shows how the upper class avoids accountability, even when their actions harm others.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the arrogance and detachment of the wealthy, reinforcing the need for social change.

Responsibility – Mrs. Birling

“I did nothing I’m ashamed of.”

Analysis: The phrase “nothing I’m ashamed of” suggests moral blindness, as she cannot recognize her wrongdoing.

Wider society: Reflects how the upper class justifies their actions by dismissing the struggles of the poor.

Priestley’s message: Condemns the lack of empathy among the wealthy and urges the audience to reject their indifference.

Age – Mrs. Birling

“I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide.”

Analysis: The phrase “don’t suppose for a moment” shows how quickly she dismisses Eva’s suffering. “Understand” suggests she is unwilling to empathize.

Wider society: Highlights the emotional disconnect between older and younger generations.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the privileged for their inability to relate to the struggles of the working class.

Age – Mrs. Birling

“Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of.”

Analysis: The phrase “unlike the other three” distances herself from guilt. “Nothing I’m ashamed of” suggests that she believes social class justifies her actions.

Wider society: Demonstrates how the older generation resists self-reflection.

Priestley’s message: Encourages the audience to recognize the dangers of moral complacency.

Gender – Mrs. Birling

“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.”

Analysis: The phrase “simply absurd” dismisses Eva’s emotions as unrealistic. “A girl in her position” suggests that poor women are undeserving of dignity.

Wider Society: Reflects how upper-class women looked down on working-class women.

Priestly’s Message : Criticises the lack of female solidarity among the wealthy.

Gender – Mrs. Birling

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

Analysis: The imperative “Go and look” shifts blame away from herself.

“It’s his responsibility” highlights her hypocrisy, as she refuses responsibility but expects it from others.

Wider society: Shows how women in power reinforced traditional gender roles rather than challenging them.

Priestley’s message: Highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class, especially in matters of morality.

Responsibility – Sheila

“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.”

Analysis: “I’m to blame” shows immediate acceptance of guilt, contrasting with her parents.

“Desperately sorry” conveys deep regret, emphasizing her emotional maturity.

Wider society: Demonstrates how the younger generation is more willing to accept responsibility than the older generation.

Priestley’s message: Encourages the audience to reflect on their own responsibility in society.

Responsibility – Sheila

“It’s the only time I’ve ever done anything like that, and I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.”

Analysis: The repetition of “never, never” reinforces her sincerity and determination to change.

Wider society: Highlights the potential for personal growth, especially among younger generations.

Priestley’s message: Shows that taking responsibility leads to self-improvement, while denying it leads to moral stagnation.

Age – Sheila

“It frightens me the way you talk, and I can’t listen to any more of it.”

Analysis: “Frightens me” shows how disturbed she is by her parents’ lack of remorse.

“I can’t listen” suggests she is rejecting their outdated attitudes.

Wider society: Reflects the younger generation’s disillusionment with traditional values.

Priestley’s message: Encourages young people to break away from their parents’ selfish ideology.

Age – Sheila

“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened.”

Analysis: “Pretend” implies deliberate ignorance. “Nothing’s really happened” highlights her frustration with how easily her parents dismiss the consequences of their actions.

Wider society: Highlights the generational divide, where younger people are more socially aware.

Priestley’s message: Shows that real change comes from acknowledging mistakes, not ignoring them.

Gender – Sheila

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

Analysis: “Cheap labour” reflects how working-class women are dehumanized. “They’re people” is a direct challenge to this attitude.

Wider society: Reflects early feminist ideas that women, especially working-class women, should be treated with dignity.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the exploitation of women and promotes gender equality.

Gender – Sheila

“Is this the one you wanted me to have?” (About the engagement ring)

Analysis: “You wanted me to have” suggests she has no say in her engagement, highlighting traditional gender roles.

Wider society: Shows how upper-class women were expected to marry for status rather than love.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the lack of female autonomy in marriage.

Class – Sheila

“I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse.”

Analysis: “Rotten” shows guilt but is informal, suggesting her initial regret was shallow.

“A lot worse” shows her growth and deeper understanding of class inequality.

Wider society: Highlights how privilege can blind people to the struggles of the working class.

Priestley’s message: Shows that awareness of class issues is the first step toward change.

Class – Sheila

“I suppose we’re all nice people now.”

Analysis: The sarcastic tone mocks her parents’ attempt to ignore their wrongdoing. “Nice people” highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class.

Wider society: Criticises how the wealthy maintain a false image of morality despite their unethical actions.

Priestley’s message: Exposes the illusion of upper-class respectability.

Responsibility – Gerald

“I suppose it was inevitable.”

Analysis: “Inevitable” suggests he sees his affair with Eva as unavoidable, refusing to take responsibility for his actions.

Wider society: Shows how upper-class men justified exploiting working-class women.

Priestley’s message: Criticises the way privileged men treat women as disposable.

Responsibility – Gerald

“We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.”

Analysis: “Respectable” suggests that social status equates to morality. “Not criminals” implies that legal innocence absolves moral guilt.

Wider society: Demonstrates how wealth protects the upper class from consequences.

Priestley’s message: Argues that morality is about personal responsibility, not just legality.

Age – Gerald

“You couldn’t have done anything else.” (To Mr. Birling about sacking Eva)

Analysis: “Couldn’t have done anything else” excuses Birling’s actions, showing how Gerald aligns with the older generation.

Wider society: Suggests that some younger people still cling to traditional values.

Priestley’s message: Highlights how class privilege can prevent moral growth.

Age – Gerald

“Everything’s all right now, Sheila.”

Analysis: “All right now” suggests he believes the engagement and their social status remain unchanged.

Wider society: Shows how some people refuse to learn from their mistakes.

Priestley’s message: Warns that unless people truly change, history will repeat itself.

Gender – Gerald

“I made her go because I was sorry for her.”

Analysis: “Made her go” suggests control over Eva’s situation. “Sorry for her” implies he saw himself as her savior.

Wider society: Reflects how upper-class men used their power over working-class women.

Priestley’s message: Criticises the idea that wealthy men could exploit women under the guise of kindness.

Gender – Gerald

“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”

Analysis: “Grateful” implies Eva owed Gerald something for his “kindness.”

Wider society: Demonstrates how women in vulnerable positions were expected to be thankful for male attention.

Priestley’s message: Exposes the power imbalance in male-female relationships.

Class – The Inspector

“There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us.”

Analysis: The repetition of “millions” emphasizes the widespread nature of social inequality.

Wider society: Suggests that capitalism continues to exploit the working class.

Priestley’s message: Advocates for collective responsibility and social reform.

Class – The Inspector

“We are members of one body.”

Analysis: “One body” implies unity and shared responsibility.

Wider society: Supports socialist ideas of collective well-being.

Priestley’s message: Encourages people to care for each other rather than focus on individual success.

Responsibility – Eric

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

Analysis: The phrase “not the kind of father” suggests emotional distance and lack of support.

The word “trouble” implies Eric feels abandoned when he needs guidance.

Wider society: Highlights generational conflicts and lack of emotional connection in upper-class families.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes the selfishness of the older generation, showing how their lack of responsibility leads to a fractured society.

Responsibility – Eric

“I say the girl’s dead and we all helped to kill her – and that’s what matters.”

Analysis: The pronoun “we all” shifts blame from individuals to collective responsibility.

The phrase “that’s what matters” emphasises moral accountability over legal consequences.

Wider society: Challenges the idea that wealth absolves responsibility, showing that actions have consequences.

Priestley’s message: Encourages the audience to accept responsibility for their role in society.

Age – Eric

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

Analysis: The rhetorical question challenges capitalist hypocrisy. The word “shouldn’t” conveys frustration with the unfair treatment of the working class.

Wider society: Reflects the younger generation’s shift towards socialism and fairness.

Priestley’s message: Shows how younger people are more open-minded and willing to challenge authority.

Age – Eric

“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing’s really happened at all.”

Analysis: The word “pretend” suggests deliberate ignorance from the older generation.

“Nothing’s really happened” shows how they attempt to erase the past to avoid guilt.

Wider society: Highlights generational conflicts, with younger people advocating for change while the older generation clings to traditional power.

Priestley’s message: Reinforces that young people are the future and should reject their parents’ outdated views.

Gender – Eric

“I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport.”

Analysis: The phrase “good sport” reduces Eva to an object of entertainment rather than a person.

“Wasn’t in love” shows a lack of emotional connection, highlighting the treatment of women as disposable.

Wider society: Critiques the casual exploitation of lower-class women by upper-class men.

Priestley’s message: Condemns the power imbalance between genders, particularly in how working-class women are treated.

Gender – Eric

“And that’s when it happened. And I don’t even remember—that’s the hellish thing.”

Analysis: “That’s the hellish thing” suggests guilt and torment, but also implies he is more upset about not remembering than about his actions.

Wider society: Exposes how wealthy men could exploit working-class women without consequences.

Priestley’s message: Highlights how women suffer most under a patriarchal system.

Class – Eric

“I don’t see why she should have been sacked just because she had a bit more spirit than the others.”

Analysis: “Bit more spirit” implies Eva had agency but was punished for it. “Just because” suggests Eric sees the firing as unjustified.

Wider society: Reflects how the working class was expected to be submissive to the upper class.

Priestley’s message: Criticizes capitalism’s oppression of the working class.

Class – Eric

“My God – I’m not likely to forget.”

Analysis: The religious exclamation “My God” expresses deep regret. “Not likely to forget” contrasts with the older generation’s attitude.

Wider society: Younger people take moral responsibility, while the older generation dismisses it.

Priestley’s message: Encourages self-reflection and accountability.