An Inspector calls key quotes and analysis: -
Arthur Birling:
“Mixed together like bees in a hive” Arthur Birling is often seen as the epitome of the
capitalist views within Edwardian society.
“Perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer
competing but working together” This quote vividly portrays Birlings primarily beliefs about
society being revolved around the rich holding the power and prosperity and the poor
working for them.
“She had a lot to say, I remember far too much- so she had to go” Birling is quick to come
to a conclusion that he was not in the wrong and was simply doing what was right; in fact
firing Eva from his works was not the morally right as she was only standing up for her
livelihood.
“Why a friend of mine went over this new liner last week- the titanic- she sails next week-
forty-six thousand eight hundred tonnes” Priestley’s utilisation of the dramatic irony of the
reference to the titanic shows how naïve Birling is.
Eric Birling:
In Act 1 Eric is “not quite at ease” around his family- he feels as if his parents don’t really
understand him, he is hiding his drinking habit from them and argues with Sheila resulting in
Sheila calling him “squiffy”.
Priestley is suggesting that Eric drinks to give himself confidence and his real personality isn’t
portrayed as he is masked by alcohol in Act 1.
From the outset of the play Eric is always and interesting and mysterious character as he
doesn’t say much but when he talks he mocks other or says witty comments that annoy his
family.
It is as if Eric is hiding something from his family and the Inspector reveals this later in the
play: “been up to something”
“public school and Varsity lifestyle”- privileged education but Birling denigrates as he is a
“hard-headed” man of business.
Sheila Birling:
“very pleased with life and rather excited” (stage direction) Naivety/kept in ignorance.
Symbolic that they leave the room to talk about “clothes” and that’s until the Inspector
comes and enters the Birling household.
Sheila is a representation of the privileged classes “gaily” their lives; yet this is paralleled by
Eva trying on the dress and ironically was stage “right type”. Sheila then exerts her capitalist
power to have Eva fired by threatening to “close the account”- thus representing the
shutting of the further options for Eva.
Materialistic (adjective):
Materialism = a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more
important than spiritual values.
Sheila is much more mature than others within her family; accepted that she is part of the
problem.
Sheila is also a microcosm of one woman representing all workers and Sheila had started to
acknowledge the injustice of the current capitalist society.
Arthur Birling:
“Mixed together like bees in a hive” Arthur Birling is often seen as the epitome of the
capitalist views within Edwardian society.
“Perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer
competing but working together” This quote vividly portrays Birlings primarily beliefs about
society being revolved around the rich holding the power and prosperity and the poor
working for them.
“She had a lot to say, I remember far too much- so she had to go” Birling is quick to come
to a conclusion that he was not in the wrong and was simply doing what was right; in fact
firing Eva from his works was not the morally right as she was only standing up for her
livelihood.
“Why a friend of mine went over this new liner last week- the titanic- she sails next week-
forty-six thousand eight hundred tonnes” Priestley’s utilisation of the dramatic irony of the
reference to the titanic shows how naïve Birling is.
Eric Birling:
In Act 1 Eric is “not quite at ease” around his family- he feels as if his parents don’t really
understand him, he is hiding his drinking habit from them and argues with Sheila resulting in
Sheila calling him “squiffy”.
Priestley is suggesting that Eric drinks to give himself confidence and his real personality isn’t
portrayed as he is masked by alcohol in Act 1.
From the outset of the play Eric is always and interesting and mysterious character as he
doesn’t say much but when he talks he mocks other or says witty comments that annoy his
family.
It is as if Eric is hiding something from his family and the Inspector reveals this later in the
play: “been up to something”
“public school and Varsity lifestyle”- privileged education but Birling denigrates as he is a
“hard-headed” man of business.
Sheila Birling:
“very pleased with life and rather excited” (stage direction) Naivety/kept in ignorance.
Symbolic that they leave the room to talk about “clothes” and that’s until the Inspector
comes and enters the Birling household.
Sheila is a representation of the privileged classes “gaily” their lives; yet this is paralleled by
Eva trying on the dress and ironically was stage “right type”. Sheila then exerts her capitalist
power to have Eva fired by threatening to “close the account”- thus representing the
shutting of the further options for Eva.
Materialistic (adjective):
Materialism = a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more
important than spiritual values.
Sheila is much more mature than others within her family; accepted that she is part of the
problem.
Sheila is also a microcosm of one woman representing all workers and Sheila had started to
acknowledge the injustice of the current capitalist society.
