An Inspector Calls - Character Flashcards

Flashcards about the characters in 'An Inspector Calls', and their key traits and quotes.

What instinctive talent does Sheila possess?

A feel for the truth

What shows that Sheila is willing to speak up?

"I think it was a mean thing to do"

What quote shows Sheila is socially aware?

"These girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"

What emotion does Sheila express regarding her actions?

Guilt

What is Sheila afraid that Mr. Birling will do?

Say or do something that he'll be sorry for afterwards

What quote illustrates Sheila's awareness of the Inspector's methods?

"He's giving us the rope so that we'll hang ourselves"

What quote reveals Sheila is materialistic?

"Now I really feel engaged"

What words show that Sheila is patronized?

"Run along"

What words show that Sheila is protected?

"there isn't the slightest reason why my daughter should be dragged into this unpleasant business"

What quote reveals Sheila is self-centered?

"Oh I wish you hadn't told me"

What causes Sheila to mature during the play?

"You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here"

What shows Eric is willing to speak up?

"He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out"

What gives Eric away as a secret drinker?

"His whole manner of handling the drink shows his familiarity with quick heavy drinking"

What shows that Eric is insightful?

"He was our police inspector all right"

What quotes shows that Eric is remorseful?

"You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't"

What words show that Eric has taken advantage of Eva/Daisy?

"I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty"

What quote shows that Eric is ashamed?

"…don't forget I'm ashamed of you as well"

What word shows that Eric is patronized?

"Just keep quiet, Eric, and don't get excited"

What quote emphasizes Eric's principled and kind nature?

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

What shows that Eric is a responsible character?

"You're beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all. And I can't really see it like that."

What quote indicates Eric's empathy?

"you killed them both"

What words show hat Eric is Unsupported?

"You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble"

What shows that Eric is Supportive?

"I insisted on giving her enough money to keep her going"

What shows that the Inspector is forceful?

"I'm not going until I know all that happened"

What shows that the Inspector is emotive?

"She was here alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate […]And you slammed the door in her face."

What shows that the Inspector is influential?

"You seem to have made a great impression on this child, Inspector"

What shows that the Inspector is moral

"Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges"

What shows that the Inspector is cunning?

"No hushing up, eh? Make an example of the young man, eh? Public confession of responsibility-um?"

What quote shows that the inspector is prescient?

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

What quote shows that the inspector is blunt?

"If it was left to me, I wouldn't know where to draw the line [between respectable citizens and criminals]"

What shows that the Inspector is empathetic?

"I've thought that it would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women…"

What shows that the Inspector is enigmatic?

"There's no Inspector the police. That man wasn't a police inspector"

What quote shows that the inspector is accusatory?

"… each of you helped to kill her. Remember that."

What shows that the Inspector is not intimidated by class?

"You heard what I said before, Mr Croft"

How is Gerald described as a young capitalist?

Supports "lower costs and higher prices."

What shows that Gerald had good intentions?

"I made her go to Morgan Terrace because I was sorry for her"

What shows Arthur Birling is of the future?

"You couldn't have done anything else"

What shows that Gerald underestimates the Inspector?

"…don't say anything to the Inspector […] We can keep it from him."

What shows that Gerald is socially superior?

"(rather impatiently) Mr Birling, the Inspector knows all that."

What shows that Gerald is intolerant of low classes?

"I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women"

What questions indicates that Gerald is remorseless?

"Did we? Who says so?"

What shows that Arthur is keen to impress Birling?

"Finchley told me it's exactly the same port your father gets from him "

What quote shows that Arthur Barling is dismissive?

"there's a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble (…) Don't worry. We've passed the worst of it "

What shows that Arthur Barling creates lack of credibility?

"Some people say that war is inevitable. And to that I say - fiddlesticks!"

What shows that Arthur Barling is selfish?

"… as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense"

What shows that Arthur Barling is superio?

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

What quote shows Arthur is values reputation?

"I've got to cover this up as soon as I can"

What shows that Arthur Barling is Ambition

"Perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together"

What shows that Arthur Barling different generation?

"More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric's age"

What shows that Arthur Barling is Right wing?

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

What shows that Arthur Barling is uncaring?

"We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now…."