Quotes: AIC

• How is Mrs. Birling described in the stage directions?

  As a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior
• What does Mr. Birling call himself?

  A hard-headed practical man of business
• What does the Inspector accuse Mrs. Birling of doing to Eva Smith?

  Slamming the door in her face
• What does Mr. Birling say about the workers being overtired?

  He would give thousands to help them
• Who is Sheila in relation to Gerald?

  She is Gerald's fiancée
• How is Sheila described in the stage directions?

  As very pleased with life and rather excited
• What does Sheila mean when she says, "but these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"?


  She recognizes the humanity of the working class
• What does Eric's character description suggest about him?

  He is half shy, half assertive, awkward, secretive, and has a drink problem
• What question does Eric ask regarding wages?

  Why shouldn't they try for higher wages?
• What does Eric imply about his state of mind when he says, "I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty"?


  He suggests he was in a vulnerable state that could lead to aggression
• How does the Inspector describe Eric's treatment of Eva Smith?

  He used her as if she were an animal, a thing
• What does Eric shout about the girl's death?

  He says, "And I say the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her."
• What evidence is left of Eva Smith in the play?

  Only her diary and a letter she left
• How is Eva Smith described in terms of her social status?

  She is voiceless, like many of the working classes
• Why did Mr. Birling not need to sack Eva Smith?

  Because she was a good worker
• What does Gerald Croft say about Eva's appearance?

  He describes her as very pretty and her look as a cry for help
• How does Gerald react to Eva's death?

  He is distressed at her death
• What does Gerald say about the women he dislikes?

  He hates those hard-eyed dough-faced women
• What did Gerald insist on giving Eva as a parting gift?

  A parting gift of enough money
• How does Inspector Goole describe the impact of Eva's death?

  He uses blunt language, saying she was burnt inside out
• What does the Inspector say about his personal interests?

  He dryly states, "I don't play golf."
• What does the Inspector imply about the reality of Eva Smith's situation?

  He states, "your daughter isn't living on the moon"
• What does the Inspector mean by saying, "There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths"?


  He emphasizes the widespread suffering of the working class
• What does the Inspector accuse each character of regarding Eva Smith?

  He states, "Each of you helped to kill her."
• How does Edna, the maid, respond to Mrs. Birling?

  She responds with "Yes ma'am."
• What does the term "women of the town" refer to in the play?


  It is code for lower class prostitutes
• What does Gerald describe about Alderman Meggarty's behavior towards Eva?

  He describes how Meggarty was pestering Eva in the Palace Theatre bar
• How does Gerald describe Meggarty's physical presence when pestering Eva?

  He says Meggarty "wedged her in the corner with that fat carcass of his"