An inspector calls revision sheet
Mr Birling:
Acts as antithesis (opposite) of Priestley’s message on social responsibility. Allegorical of the
wealthy’s ignorance and oblivious to how his actions impact others - refuses to acknowledge the
issues that society has and is unwilling to accept his responsibility and role towards the death of Eva
Smith. Priestley suggests that the lack of compassion and responsibility of Mr Birling are tied to his
class and capitalist ideologies.
Key quotes:
“The way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody
else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense.” - Mr
Birlings intolerance of socialism reflects the political climate of the 1910s when there was a big
division between socialism vs capitalism, and suggests he is narrow minded. His harsh and
insensitive language to socialists by calling them “cranks” and the ideas of being “nonsense”, Priestley
ensures the audience recognises him as heartless by vilifying him. His tone is bitter and he is
disgusted just by the thought of social responsibility, looking out for everyone. The proleptic irony in
the reference to “these cranks” could be referring to left wing politicians, this makes Mr Birling appear
foolish as the 1945 audience knows in a few years those “cranks” will be in power. Alternatively,
Birling could be referring to liberal writers such as Priestley, which is also an example of irony as
Priestley (the author) holds all the power over the play and his mouthpiece, the inspector carries the
prophet-like power as well. By using the simile “mixed up together like bees in a hive” he immediately
dismisses the idea of looking out for each other and implies that social responsibility is primitive and
demeaning which further reinforces his arrogance. This also demonstrates how Mr Birling believes in
segregation by social class, therefore complying with the Edwardian view of social structure and
hierarchy. The phrases “you’d think” and “as if” show Mr Birling finds the idea preposterous. His
comments on the Titanic and war have already discredited him, so the audience knows his
statements on “community” will also be challenged.
“Obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl’s suicide.” - This quote shows that
when faced with the consequences of his actions, Mr Birling refuses to accept any blame, believing
his actions must be irrelevant because he fired her “two years ago”. He thinks the two events can’t link
because they happened so far apart. Priestley implies this interpretation of responsibility is simplistic
and self-serving, allowing people to excuse themselves of blame despite this being the event which
rippled into the “chain of events”. He refers to Eva as a “wretched girl” which reveals his lack of
compassion and patience, suggesting he won’t take responsibility because he doesn’t sympathise
with Eva. He acts as a foil to the inspector which Priestley urges his 1945, post war audience to be
like the inspector to create a more unified and empathetic community. Mr Birling’s continued rejection
of responsibility seems to be a result of arrogance and disrespect for others. Accepting blame would
be seen as a sign of weakness and imperfection and he feeds into the patriarchal society of 1912 of
having to be the man who provides for his family.
Mrs Birling:
Mrs Birling personifies (represents) the upper classes’ contempt (disrespect) towards the poor and
authorities’ neglect of those in need. Like Mr Birling, she is committed to the idea of her own
innocence, refusing to accept the smallest bit of the blame. Priestley uses her to suggest the hatred of
social responsibility stems from classism and prejudice, as the upper classes didn’t want to associate
themselves with the lower classes.
Key quotes:
“He should be made an example of [...] Make sure he’s compelled to confess in public to his
Mr Birling:
Acts as antithesis (opposite) of Priestley’s message on social responsibility. Allegorical of the
wealthy’s ignorance and oblivious to how his actions impact others - refuses to acknowledge the
issues that society has and is unwilling to accept his responsibility and role towards the death of Eva
Smith. Priestley suggests that the lack of compassion and responsibility of Mr Birling are tied to his
class and capitalist ideologies.
Key quotes:
“The way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody
else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense.” - Mr
Birlings intolerance of socialism reflects the political climate of the 1910s when there was a big
division between socialism vs capitalism, and suggests he is narrow minded. His harsh and
insensitive language to socialists by calling them “cranks” and the ideas of being “nonsense”, Priestley
ensures the audience recognises him as heartless by vilifying him. His tone is bitter and he is
disgusted just by the thought of social responsibility, looking out for everyone. The proleptic irony in
the reference to “these cranks” could be referring to left wing politicians, this makes Mr Birling appear
foolish as the 1945 audience knows in a few years those “cranks” will be in power. Alternatively,
Birling could be referring to liberal writers such as Priestley, which is also an example of irony as
Priestley (the author) holds all the power over the play and his mouthpiece, the inspector carries the
prophet-like power as well. By using the simile “mixed up together like bees in a hive” he immediately
dismisses the idea of looking out for each other and implies that social responsibility is primitive and
demeaning which further reinforces his arrogance. This also demonstrates how Mr Birling believes in
segregation by social class, therefore complying with the Edwardian view of social structure and
hierarchy. The phrases “you’d think” and “as if” show Mr Birling finds the idea preposterous. His
comments on the Titanic and war have already discredited him, so the audience knows his
statements on “community” will also be challenged.
“Obviously it has nothing whatever to do with the wretched girl’s suicide.” - This quote shows that
when faced with the consequences of his actions, Mr Birling refuses to accept any blame, believing
his actions must be irrelevant because he fired her “two years ago”. He thinks the two events can’t link
because they happened so far apart. Priestley implies this interpretation of responsibility is simplistic
and self-serving, allowing people to excuse themselves of blame despite this being the event which
rippled into the “chain of events”. He refers to Eva as a “wretched girl” which reveals his lack of
compassion and patience, suggesting he won’t take responsibility because he doesn’t sympathise
with Eva. He acts as a foil to the inspector which Priestley urges his 1945, post war audience to be
like the inspector to create a more unified and empathetic community. Mr Birling’s continued rejection
of responsibility seems to be a result of arrogance and disrespect for others. Accepting blame would
be seen as a sign of weakness and imperfection and he feeds into the patriarchal society of 1912 of
having to be the man who provides for his family.
Mrs Birling:
Mrs Birling personifies (represents) the upper classes’ contempt (disrespect) towards the poor and
authorities’ neglect of those in need. Like Mr Birling, she is committed to the idea of her own
innocence, refusing to accept the smallest bit of the blame. Priestley uses her to suggest the hatred of
social responsibility stems from classism and prejudice, as the upper classes didn’t want to associate
themselves with the lower classes.
Key quotes:
“He should be made an example of [...] Make sure he’s compelled to confess in public to his
