An Inspector Calls
Quotes and Notes
PREVIEW
'Sharp ring of the doorbell' - Narrator
'Sharp' implies physical/emotional pain
Inspector is trying to reveal the prejudice of the Birling family.
'An impression of massiveness and solidity' - Narrator about
the Inspector
Represents an immovable morality, to expose Birling's lack of
humanity.
'Nasty mess (of the Birling's evening)/Nasty mess of
somebody's life' - Mr Birling and Inspector Goole
Juxtaposition between the comments highlight the differences
between Birling and the Inspector, and their opposing values.
'Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John
Smiths' - Inspector Goole
Use of polysyndeton stresses how many people will be injured by
an unfair society, and how crucial it is that people like the
Birlings are confronted.
'Fire, blood and anguish' - Inspector Goole
Use of 'anguish', instead of pain, conveys the torture an unfair
society can create. It deters the audience, and implores them to
work towards creating a fairer society.
Fire could be a religious reference/eluding to hell, and therefore
punishment for not following the message of
Christianity/socialism - 'love thy neighbour'.
Warning the audience and characters of the consequences of
abdicating social responsibility.
'Great agony'….'burnt her inside out' - Inspector Goole
Shows empathy and compassion to a lower class.
Contrasts with the Birling's dehumanisation of them.
Uses shocking, violent imagery to persuade the characters to
change.
Foreshadowing his later speech that encircles the consequences
of abdicating social responsibility (fire, blood and anguish)
'It's better to ask for the earth than to take it' - Inspector Goole
Exposes the prejudiced and selfish views of the Birlings.
Eludes that this is the nature of capitalism.
'We are members of one body.' - Inspector Goole
References the Book of Genesis - said in Holy Communion.
As he echoes the words of God, Priestley suggests the Inspector
is speaking on God's behalf.
'Yes, but you can't. It's too late. She's dead.' - Inspector Goole
Short sentences, and terse triplet of expressions used.
, To convey an impactful message, and urge the
audience/characters to make radical change.
'Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as
privileges.' - Inspector Goole
Convey the view that those at the top of society should also care
for those below them.
Uses the Inspector as a vehicle for socialism.
'When you’re married you’ll realize that men have important
work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and
energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just
as I had' - Mrs Birling
Internalised the social norms, as she is complicit (just as I had).
The ideology is so entrenched in society, that it is adopted by Mrs
Birling.
A sense of resignation. Cycle of submission that has been passed
down is sought to be broken by Priestley.
Expected lack of happiness within a marriage, shows how
reputation is valued, because it was in order to have a higher
class marriage.
'Girls of that class' - Mrs Birling
Creates a strong divide between her and upper class with the use
of 'that', as if the lower class are some other, lesser beings.
The generalisation suggests a dehumanisation and contempt of
the working class, and is further evidence of the inherent class
divide.
‘I did nothing I’m ashamed for […] I used my influence to have
it refused. And in spite of what happened to the girl since, I
consider I did my duty’ - Mrs Birling
Despite Eva's death, Mrs Birling does not regret her denial of aid.
Demonstrates the true extent of her 'cold' nature.
Use of the noun 'duty' exposes Mrs Birling's skewed perception of
the word. Whilst seeing the word to mean rich people stay rich,
and poor people stay poor, she neglects her moral duty to
provide assistance to those in need.
'For lower costs and higher prices', 'it's my duty to keep labour costs
down', 'socialist or some other crank', 'community and all that nonsense' -
Mr Birling
Birling is excited by the prospect of increasing prices.
He represents the undermining of family values/community, and embodies
Edwardian society's views.
The true motive behind Sheila's marriage is profit, rather than love. Shows his
love for money and profit.
Audience that has just been through the second world war would honour
community values, so Mr Birling (and his capitalist views) would become a
target of condemnation.
'Duty' has connotations of honour and sacrifice, especially in post WWII
England.
Makes the audience hate him, and thus his views.
Quotes and Notes
PREVIEW
'Sharp ring of the doorbell' - Narrator
'Sharp' implies physical/emotional pain
Inspector is trying to reveal the prejudice of the Birling family.
'An impression of massiveness and solidity' - Narrator about
the Inspector
Represents an immovable morality, to expose Birling's lack of
humanity.
'Nasty mess (of the Birling's evening)/Nasty mess of
somebody's life' - Mr Birling and Inspector Goole
Juxtaposition between the comments highlight the differences
between Birling and the Inspector, and their opposing values.
'Millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John
Smiths' - Inspector Goole
Use of polysyndeton stresses how many people will be injured by
an unfair society, and how crucial it is that people like the
Birlings are confronted.
'Fire, blood and anguish' - Inspector Goole
Use of 'anguish', instead of pain, conveys the torture an unfair
society can create. It deters the audience, and implores them to
work towards creating a fairer society.
Fire could be a religious reference/eluding to hell, and therefore
punishment for not following the message of
Christianity/socialism - 'love thy neighbour'.
Warning the audience and characters of the consequences of
abdicating social responsibility.
'Great agony'….'burnt her inside out' - Inspector Goole
Shows empathy and compassion to a lower class.
Contrasts with the Birling's dehumanisation of them.
Uses shocking, violent imagery to persuade the characters to
change.
Foreshadowing his later speech that encircles the consequences
of abdicating social responsibility (fire, blood and anguish)
'It's better to ask for the earth than to take it' - Inspector Goole
Exposes the prejudiced and selfish views of the Birlings.
Eludes that this is the nature of capitalism.
'We are members of one body.' - Inspector Goole
References the Book of Genesis - said in Holy Communion.
As he echoes the words of God, Priestley suggests the Inspector
is speaking on God's behalf.
'Yes, but you can't. It's too late. She's dead.' - Inspector Goole
Short sentences, and terse triplet of expressions used.
, To convey an impactful message, and urge the
audience/characters to make radical change.
'Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as
privileges.' - Inspector Goole
Convey the view that those at the top of society should also care
for those below them.
Uses the Inspector as a vehicle for socialism.
'When you’re married you’ll realize that men have important
work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and
energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just
as I had' - Mrs Birling
Internalised the social norms, as she is complicit (just as I had).
The ideology is so entrenched in society, that it is adopted by Mrs
Birling.
A sense of resignation. Cycle of submission that has been passed
down is sought to be broken by Priestley.
Expected lack of happiness within a marriage, shows how
reputation is valued, because it was in order to have a higher
class marriage.
'Girls of that class' - Mrs Birling
Creates a strong divide between her and upper class with the use
of 'that', as if the lower class are some other, lesser beings.
The generalisation suggests a dehumanisation and contempt of
the working class, and is further evidence of the inherent class
divide.
‘I did nothing I’m ashamed for […] I used my influence to have
it refused. And in spite of what happened to the girl since, I
consider I did my duty’ - Mrs Birling
Despite Eva's death, Mrs Birling does not regret her denial of aid.
Demonstrates the true extent of her 'cold' nature.
Use of the noun 'duty' exposes Mrs Birling's skewed perception of
the word. Whilst seeing the word to mean rich people stay rich,
and poor people stay poor, she neglects her moral duty to
provide assistance to those in need.
'For lower costs and higher prices', 'it's my duty to keep labour costs
down', 'socialist or some other crank', 'community and all that nonsense' -
Mr Birling
Birling is excited by the prospect of increasing prices.
He represents the undermining of family values/community, and embodies
Edwardian society's views.
The true motive behind Sheila's marriage is profit, rather than love. Shows his
love for money and profit.
Audience that has just been through the second world war would honour
community values, so Mr Birling (and his capitalist views) would become a
target of condemnation.
'Duty' has connotations of honour and sacrifice, especially in post WWII
England.
Makes the audience hate him, and thus his views.
