An Inspector Calls Quotations

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GCSE English Literature (An Inspector Calls) Flashcards on An Inspector Calls Quotations, created by Riley Loades on 11/05/2019.
Riley Loades
Flashcards by Riley Loades, updated more than 1 year ago
Riley Loades
Created by Riley Loades over 5 years ago
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"A man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family, too, of course," Mr Birling (Act 1) Priestley uses this quotation to present the opposing behaviors of Mr Birling and how he can come across as very selfish, but he will also think about his family, perhaps because it is family, who have allowed him to reach such a high class through marrying Sybil and Sheila now engaged to Gerald.
"No, that’s no use. You not only knew her but you knew her very well. Otherwise, you wouldn’t look so guilty about it." Sheila Birling (Act 1) This quotation suggests that Sheila has acknowledged that Inspector Goole already knows everything about the family, and that there is no point of Gerald trying to hind that he knows her, and that he knows her intimately. This foreshadows how Sheila will accept her responsibility later on as she has already started to take sides with the Inspector.
"If you think you can bring any pressure to bear on me, Inspector, you’re quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of or that won’t bear investigation." Sybil Birling (Act 2) Priestley uses this quote to portray how the older generation aren't willing to accept any responsibility or feel "ashamed" of anything they have done. This reinforces the message of change that Priestley wanted to spread through his books, so that society would understand that things need to be done to help everybody - not just the rich.
"We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." Inspector Goole (Act 3) Priestley uses this quotation to emphasize the message of change he wanted to bring around in society, and that through using a powerful, law figure in the Inspector it could have more of an impact. Additionally, the Inspector says that people will learn that lesson "in fire and blood and anguish", perhaps linking to the World Wars that have happened and they may have not been necessary, if society had changed sooner.
"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable." Mr Birling (Act 1) Priestley uses dramatic irony as the audience already know that the Titanic had already sank, showing the over-confidence that Mr Birling possesses. This quote can also be used as a metaphor for the family and their privileged position, where they believe nothing can ever go wrong.
"I speak as a hard-headed businessman." Mr Birling (Act 1) Priestley uses this quotation to convey the arrogance and ignorance of the rich, and also their goals/aims to only earn more wealth and riches. It also shows the work ethic of the rich, and how they have a good work ethic but their goals are immoral and unethical as they will sacrifice others happiness to supply their own.
"If you don't come down hard on these people they'll soon be asking for the Earth!" Mr Birling (Act 1) Priestley uses this hyperbole to present the greedy, selfish nature of Mr Birling and how he tries to make it seem like the workers are asking for too much, and that their demands are unreasonable, when in reality the workers are the foundation of Mr Birling's business and he should show them more respect, gratitude and appreciation.
"Each of you helped to kill her." Inspector Goole (Act 3) Priestley uses this quotation as a final climax to create as much tension and suspense as possible, before it is revealed that this may not have all been completely real yet. It also shows how the Inspector has lost his patience with the family, and instead of easing them into this serious subject, he acknowledges that most of them show no regret or guilt, so he decides to show them no mercy and becomes very harsh.
"Look Inspector, I'd give thousands..." Mr Birling (Act 3) Priestley uses this phrase to imply that Mr Birling still feels no true sympathy for Eva Smith and that he still values his money, even after it was his greed for wealth that had harmed Eva Smith to begin with, when he refused to give her an extra two shillings and six pence, but now he offers thousands because he doesn't want to be in trouble with the law, but his offer now is meaningless and only shows that he believes he can solve everything with money.
"Look at the way he talked to me..." Mr Birling (Act 3) Priestley uses this quotation to present how Mr Birling believes he deserves a different treatment to other people, even if they are his own family. It also presents Mr Birling as being unable to stand up to the Inspector, but once the Inspector leaves he speaks up.
"One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us" Inspector Goole (Act 3) Priestley uses this quote to emphasize the impact that the rich can have, and how if they don't change their ways then it could lead to more devastating consequences. It could also refer to the biblical story of Adam and Eve as in the Edwardian Era many people were religious and Priestley may have wanted to use this as a way to communicate to his audience that Eva was only the start of these consequences.
"If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt." Inspector Goole (Act 2) Priestley uses this phrase to reflect how Eva Smith is already dead, and can't be brought back, therefore the only moral and ethical thing left to do is to accept the guilt they should all feel, and ensure that it doesn't happen again.
"Are you sure you don't know?" Inspector Goole (Act 1) Priestley uses this quote to portray the supernatural nature of the Inspector and how he came to the Birling's so they could answer his questions, when actually he came to the Birling's to get his answers confirmed and reassured.
"You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?" Inspector Goole (Act 2) Priestley uses this quotation to represent the role of Woman in the Edwardian Era and how it was mainly a patriarchal society ran by men, where the women were controlled and commanded, but Priestley uses the Inspector as a microcosm for change that Priestley wanted to bring around to help the poor and women.
"But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people" Sheila (Act 1) Priestley uses this quotation to foreshadow the change that Sheila will have later on in the play, accepting her responsibility for her actions. This quote also implies that Sheila feels a bond with Eva Smith and what she wanted to achieve. This quote also makes it seem more tense, when it is later revealed that Gerald and Eric used Eva Smith/Daisy Renton for their own "cheap labour".
"Its you two being childish - trying not to face the facts" Sheila (Act 3) Priestley uses this quotation to emphasize the imagery that the new generation are the people, who are starting the movement for change, while the older generation are hindering it and "being childish". It also reflects the journey that Sheila had taken throughout the play as she went from engaging Gerald and being given a ring that he wanted her to have, to the point that she will go against her own parents because she has a better knowledge of morals.
"Now just be quiet so that your father can decide what we ought to do." Sybil Birling (Act 3) Priestley uses this quotation to reflect how in the Edwardian Era women had to listen to their male superiors and even though change would benefit her and allow her to have more freedom over her own life, she is too afraid to disobey her husband, and even tells Sheila and Eric to be quiet, because the older generation can't handle being wrong, like how Mr Birling predicted "there will be no war" and the Titanic is "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable".
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