An Inspector Calls - Minor quotes

What does Mrs Birling say in response to Mr Birling complimenting the cook?

(reproachfully) “Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”

This shows Mrs Birling being judgemental, and acting superior (husband’s social superior). Supposed shows societal expectations.

What does Mrs Birling say after Sheila calls Eric squiffy?

“What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days!”

What does Eric say when they are toasting Sheila?

(rather noisily) “All the best! She’s got a nasty temper sometimes - but she’s not bad really. Good old Sheila!”

This shows his drunken state, but respect for his sister and future brother in law. The nasty temper could be foreshadowing for the anger Sheila has later, both with Eva and certain responses to other members of the family.

What does Sheila say after putting the ring on?

“I’ll never let it out of my sight for an instant”.

This shows how Gerald has material control to an extent, patriarchy etc. It also shows the naivety of Sheila and her materialism

What are the small ironic quotes Birling says and what actually happens?

“We’ve passed the worst of it [labour trouble]” - labour trouble only got worse

“steadily increasing prosperity [in the future]” - economic decline

“Nobody wants war” - War two years after the play

“unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable [the Titanic]” - Titanic sank very quickly

“There’ll be…except in Russia” - Russia advanced the quickest of any country between 1912 (play set) and 1945 (play performed)

What does Birling say when trying to impress Gerald after dinner?

So – well – I gather there's a very good chance of a knighthood – so long as we behave ourselfs, don't get into the police court or start a scandal – eh? ( laughs complacently.)

This uses dramatic irony due to the risk of a scandal from Eric, and he is shown as gauche here, trying to impress Gerald.

What does Birling say about how women view clothes?

“that clothes mean something quite different to a woman. Not just something to wear – and not only something to make 'em look prettier – but – well, a sort of sign or token of their self-respect.”

This shows casual misogyny being expressed even towards Birling’s wife and daughter.

What does Mr Birling say to confirm he thought Goole was a new member of the force?

“I thought you must be. I was an alderman for years – and lord mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the bench – so I know the brumley police officers pretty well – and I thought I’d never seen you before.”

This shows Mr Birling trying to impress the Inspector with his previous roles. Lord Mayor, alderman and on the bench all suggest high positions. His reference to knowing the Brumley officers shows that he is trying to impress by referring to colleagues.

What does Eric say when he learns of the suicide?

“(involuntarily) My god!”

The involuntary reaction could be a reference to Eric’s drinking, but it also shows sympathy with Eva and an already developing socialist ideal.

What does Birling say that shows neglect of his responsibility?

“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?”

On the one hand this shows a lack of responsibility but on the other a partially legitimate point, as Birling couldn’t control what happened after she was fired. Shows individualist ideas but also potential lack of comfort at the subject, possible guilt?

How does Birling describe Eva and her work?

“She was a lively good looking girl - country bred”

This shows juxtaposition with the later description of how she was fired. Birling desires her as a good worker, and this shows the sudden shift into firing her.

What is Sheila’s first line after hearing Eva has died through suicide?

“Oh, how horrible! Was it an accident?”

This shows immediate sympathy and development of socialist ideals in the younger generation. Foreshadows Sheila resisting her mother and father. The accident question is trying to actively find out, unlike Mr Birling trying to move the father along.

What does the Inspector say about Eva’s next job?

“She was taken on in a shop - and a good shop too - Milwards”.

This shows Eva as an idealised version of a working class person as she was kicked out of one line of work and suddenly moved into a new and still good piece of work.

What does the Inspector say when Birling complains about his disruption of the event?

“A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody's made of it.”

This shows Eva being presented generally well with potential for the future which all the characters have destroyed.

What does Sheila say after sharing her story?

“And if I could help her now, I would---”

Immediate shift to altruistic, more socialist ideals. but also futility, which the Inspector immediately points out.

What does Gerald say to get Sheila to go to bed and not hear his truths?

“I think miss birling ought to be excused any more of this questioning”

This shows his dishonesty, lack of wanting to hear and potential misogyny of the time.

What does the Inspector say about shared responsibility?

“You see, we have to share something. If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt.”

This shows his will for social responsibility. Mr Birling did not accept responsibility but Sheila did, and the Inspector is trying to get them to take responsibility.

How does Mrs Birling describe Eric when first meeting the Inspector?

“No, of course not. He's only a boy.”

The of course not refers to Eric not being used to drinking. Calling him a boy infantilises him and treats him as less valuable. Sheila is also called a girl, and Eva is constantly referred to as a girl even by the Inspector.

What does Gerald say when asked how he knew Eva/Daisy?

“Where did you get the idea that I did know her?”

This shows he’s still trying to avoid the subject and not take responsibility. The idea is an inaccurate description as it is very obvious Gerald knows her.

How does Gerald describe the prostitutes in Brumley?

“women of the town”

This is a general term which could mean a lot other than prostitutes, and is highly euphemistic.

How does Gerald describe Meggarty?

“Old joe meggarty, half-drunk and goggle-eyed, had wedged her into a corner with that obscene fat carcass of his--”

This shows the disgust of what Meggarty was doing, and Sheila later mentions a friend was assaulted by him. Shows systemic harassment and assault in Brumley (same word should go before harassment and assault, but the filter blocks it)

Where does Gerald say he took Daisy?

“we went along to the county hotel”

Hotel is an odd choice for food as they could have gone to a restauraunt, pub, cafe etc. Hotels also have beds, highlighting at the abuse to come.

How does Birling describe Eric when he leaves the house?

“one of his excitable queer moods”

This shows dramatic irony as they are about to find out with Eric, but also disregarding his alcohol problem as a mood.

What does the Inspector say about how Mrs Birling last saw Eva?

“But Mrs Birling spoke to and saw her only two weeks ago.”

What does the Inspector reveal to the Birlings?

“then the next time you imagine it [the scene of the suicide], just remember that this girl was going to have a child.”

This is a harsh and damning reality which the Inspector bluntly delivers and provides further condemnation of the Birlings’ actions.

What does Mrs Birling say when asked if she is sorry knowing what happened?

“But I accept no blame for it at all.”

This shows the total lack of acceptance of responsibility amongst the older generation, especially with the no blame.