An Inspector Calls
What is Sheila’s importance in the play?
Link between inspector and audience
o An example of what Priestly wants the audience to be like at the end of the play
“I’ll tell you – whoever that Inspector was, it was anything but a joke.” Page 71
Reminds us of Eva Smith – what Eva could have been like if she was richer
o Upper class vs. lower class
o Rich parents vs. no parents
o Both pretty
o Both around the same age
“What was she like? Quite young?” Page 17
o Both had relationships with Gerald
Conscience of the family
o Feels guilty
“And if I could help her now, I would.” Page 24
o Willing to forgive Gerald
“I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before.” Page 48
o Accepts responsibility – first one to do so
“I’ll never, never do it again.” Page 24
“No, not really. It was my own fault.” Page 23
“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.” Page 29
“Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.” Page 58
Represents the younger generation
o Socialist
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.” Page 19
o They are ‘more impressionable’
What is Mr Birling’s importance in the play?
Represents upper class society at the time
o Capitalist
“A time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for
lower costs and higher prices.” Page 4
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down.” Page 15
“If you don’t come down hard on these people they’d soon be asking for the earth.” Page 15
o Cares only about himself and his family – selfish – in business, he only wants profit, even if it is at the
expense of his workers
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.” Page 7
“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.” Page 54 – no guilt
In 1912, trade unions were not well established so he was able to dismiss workers like Eva
o Unwilling to accept responsibility
“I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to
everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward.” Page 14
“There’ll be a public scandal.” Page 58
o Disregard for women, feeling that his daughter should be sheltered but has no care for Eva
“Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along.” Page 17 – Patronising
“Be quiet Sheila.” Page 48
Priestly uses him to promote his own views
o Proves Mr B wrong time after time so capitalism is also wrong
“The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.” Page 6
“The Titanic -she sails next week – unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” Page 7
What is Sheila’s importance in the play?
Link between inspector and audience
o An example of what Priestly wants the audience to be like at the end of the play
“I’ll tell you – whoever that Inspector was, it was anything but a joke.” Page 71
Reminds us of Eva Smith – what Eva could have been like if she was richer
o Upper class vs. lower class
o Rich parents vs. no parents
o Both pretty
o Both around the same age
“What was she like? Quite young?” Page 17
o Both had relationships with Gerald
Conscience of the family
o Feels guilty
“And if I could help her now, I would.” Page 24
o Willing to forgive Gerald
“I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before.” Page 48
o Accepts responsibility – first one to do so
“I’ll never, never do it again.” Page 24
“No, not really. It was my own fault.” Page 23
“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.” Page 29
“Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.” Page 58
Represents the younger generation
o Socialist
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.” Page 19
o They are ‘more impressionable’
What is Mr Birling’s importance in the play?
Represents upper class society at the time
o Capitalist
“A time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for
lower costs and higher prices.” Page 4
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down.” Page 15
“If you don’t come down hard on these people they’d soon be asking for the earth.” Page 15
o Cares only about himself and his family – selfish – in business, he only wants profit, even if it is at the
expense of his workers
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.” Page 7
“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.” Page 54 – no guilt
In 1912, trade unions were not well established so he was able to dismiss workers like Eva
o Unwilling to accept responsibility
“I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to
everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward.” Page 14
“There’ll be a public scandal.” Page 58
o Disregard for women, feeling that his daughter should be sheltered but has no care for Eva
“Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along.” Page 17 – Patronising
“Be quiet Sheila.” Page 48
Priestly uses him to promote his own views
o Proves Mr B wrong time after time so capitalism is also wrong
“The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.” Page 6
“The Titanic -she sails next week – unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” Page 7
