AIC – Key Quotes & Analysis
Inspector Goole:
“And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things”
Inspector: The inspector questions Gerald which displays to the audience his
different attitudes to middle-class Edwardian women compared to working ones as
he didn’t care about Eva. Also shows he thinks women shouldn’t be tainted by the
unpleasant truths of the world. – Act 2
“we’ll have to share our guilt”
Inspector: Becomes a moral figure to evoke sympathy from the audience and
condemn the actions of those who mistreated her. He implies we are responsible for
each other. Becomes a foil to Mr. Birling, Socialism vs. Individualism. – Act 2
“Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smith’s”
Inspector: Repetition of the noun “millions” makes it seem never ending. The
common surname symbolises a wider group of people, showing that anyone can be
affected. – Act 3
“We are members of one body, we are all responsible for each other”
Inspector: Socialism, the Inspector suggests that we have a duty to each other in a
society and therefore cannot act alone and selfishly. “One body” suggests harm done
to one member will have effects on others. Theme of karma, social responsibility.
– Act 3
Mr. Birling:
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Mr. Birling: He’s impressed by the titanic, however this is ironic since the audience
already knows it sank. Shows that there is not much credibility in Mr. Birling. – Act 1
“a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
Mr. Birling: Portrays his values. Believes you shouldn’t meddle with other people’s
affairs. Doesn’t care for others. Shows his individualism and selfishness which
foreshadows his lack of care of Eva Smith’s situation. Ironic as he doesn’t care for his
own family. – Act 1
“I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry. And I don’t propose to give
you much rope”
Mr. Birling: Uses a metaphor to show how he won’t give the Inspector any room to
ask questions or investigate them. Mr. Birling feels like he’s able to be in control.
Ironic as the Inspector is able to find out everything. – Act 2
“You don’t seem to care about anything. But I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in
the next honours list.”
Mr. Birling: He repeatedly says this to Gerald which is quite ironic as he cares more
about his reputation and social standing, then the death of a young girl. He wants to
impress Gerald and his parents as they are upper-class. Shows his arrogance and
need to look good. – Act 3
Inspector Goole:
“And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things”
Inspector: The inspector questions Gerald which displays to the audience his
different attitudes to middle-class Edwardian women compared to working ones as
he didn’t care about Eva. Also shows he thinks women shouldn’t be tainted by the
unpleasant truths of the world. – Act 2
“we’ll have to share our guilt”
Inspector: Becomes a moral figure to evoke sympathy from the audience and
condemn the actions of those who mistreated her. He implies we are responsible for
each other. Becomes a foil to Mr. Birling, Socialism vs. Individualism. – Act 2
“Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smith’s”
Inspector: Repetition of the noun “millions” makes it seem never ending. The
common surname symbolises a wider group of people, showing that anyone can be
affected. – Act 3
“We are members of one body, we are all responsible for each other”
Inspector: Socialism, the Inspector suggests that we have a duty to each other in a
society and therefore cannot act alone and selfishly. “One body” suggests harm done
to one member will have effects on others. Theme of karma, social responsibility.
– Act 3
Mr. Birling:
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Mr. Birling: He’s impressed by the titanic, however this is ironic since the audience
already knows it sank. Shows that there is not much credibility in Mr. Birling. – Act 1
“a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
Mr. Birling: Portrays his values. Believes you shouldn’t meddle with other people’s
affairs. Doesn’t care for others. Shows his individualism and selfishness which
foreshadows his lack of care of Eva Smith’s situation. Ironic as he doesn’t care for his
own family. – Act 1
“I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry. And I don’t propose to give
you much rope”
Mr. Birling: Uses a metaphor to show how he won’t give the Inspector any room to
ask questions or investigate them. Mr. Birling feels like he’s able to be in control.
Ironic as the Inspector is able to find out everything. – Act 2
“You don’t seem to care about anything. But I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in
the next honours list.”
Mr. Birling: He repeatedly says this to Gerald which is quite ironic as he cares more
about his reputation and social standing, then the death of a young girl. He wants to
impress Gerald and his parents as they are upper-class. Shows his arrogance and
need to look good. – Act 3
