GCSE (9-1): Literature: An Inspector Calls: Quotes: Whole Text Quotes

I wasn't in love with her or anything - but I liked her- she was pretty and a good sport

Eric about Eva/Daisy

We are member of one body. We are responsible for each other

Inspector Goole's parting words to the family

The point is, you don't have seemed to have learnt anything

Sheila to her father about his lack of responsibility

Probably a socialist or some sort of crank

Birling about Inspector Goole

Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide

Sheila about how they all played a part in Eva Smith's Suicide

The famous younger generation who know it all

Birling about Sheila and Eric's reaction to their parents

'half playful half serious'

Sheila - uneasy atmosphere

'it's exactly the same port as your father gets'

Mr. Birling trying to impress Gerald

'what an expression Sheila, really the things you girls pick up these days'

Mrs. Birling's response to 'you're squiffy' ignoring what she is saying, only concerned about they're social appearence

'the Germans don't want war, everything to lose and nothing to gain by war'

Mr. Birlings monologue at the beginning. Priestley is undermining him as he is completely wrong.

'Absolutely unsinkable'

Mr. Birling about the titanic. Dramatic irony.

'I speak as a hard headed businessman'

Mr. Birling who believe being cold and unemotional is a desirable trait

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

Mr Birling

'an impression of massiveness, solidity and purpose'

The inspector is powerful and stern.

'(involuntarily) my god!'

Eric's reaction to the death of Eva smith

'(rather impatiently) yes, yes. Horrid business, but i don't understand why you should come here'

Mr. Birling's reaction to the death of Eva smith. Business shows that he thinks another life and death is just business to him.

'(showing annoyance) is there any reason why I shouldn't see this girl's photograph?'

Gerald insensitive, only thinking about himself. Also conspiracy about inspector manipulating them?

'and I've been so happy tonight. oh I wish you hadn't told me'

Sheila's reaction to the death of Eva Smith. selfish and egotistic.

'it's about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities'

Mr. Birling to Eric. Irony

'it doesn't seem to me very important'

Mr. Birling about eva's death. Not accepting his responsibility in the 'chain of events'

'but these girls aren't cheap labour- they're people'

Sheila voicing Priestley's socialist views

'I wouldn't know where to draw the line'

The inspector talking about how the upper classes could also be criminals

What does Eric confess?

That he got the girl pregnant and that he stole money from his father's firm to support her

What does Eric learn?

That the girl had appealed to his mother and had been turned down

Who does Eric blame for the death of the girl?

His mother

What does Inspector Goole make a dramatic speech about?

The consequences of the sort of social irresponsiblity that Mr Birling was preaching at the end of the dinner

What does Gerald and Mr Birling prove after Inspector Goole left?

The man was not a real police inspector

What establishes that Inspector Goole was not a real police inspector?

A telephone call to the Chief Constable

How does everyone react when it is established that Inspector Goole was fake?

Eric and Sheila continue to feel gulity whereas the others shrug off any guilt

At the end of the play Mr Birling answers the telephone. What is it about?

Mr Birling is told that a young woman has just died on her way to the infirmary and an inspector is on his way to make enquries