Guilt: Key Quotations

• For Priestley, guilt is the result of accepting the personal and social responsibility of one’s actions. It is noteworthy that younger characters in An Inspector Calls express guilt, but not the older generation, suggesting that they are not willing to see their own flaws or those of the society they live in.
• Guilt: “I know I’m to blame - and I’m desperately sorry” – Sheila Birling, Act II

  ‘I can’t stop thinking about it ’– Sheila Birling, Act II
• Meaning and context:

  • These quotes are from Act II, after Sheila’s confession in Act I
• Analysis:

  • Sheila is portrayed as both sympathetic and courageous as she is the first character (apart from the Inspector) to empathise with Eva Smith’s predicament
  • The personal pronoun ‘I’ is repeatedly used here to show that Sheila acknowledges her own personal guilt
  • However, the Inspector insists that the guilt, as well as the responsibility, must be shared by all
  • Sheila’s language becomes increasingly emotional and she continually displays genuine remorse for her actions
• Guilt: “I’m very sorry. But I think she had only herself to blame” – Sybil Birling, Act II
• Meaning and context:

  • This quote is from Act II and Sybil Birling directs it toward the Inspector
• Analysis:

  • Sybil is portrayed as one of the least compassionate characters in the play
  • She refuses to express any guilt for their treatment of Eva
  • She continues to fail to see or acknowledge that she has done anything wrong
  • The older generation is sharply contrasted with the younger generation, as they are able to demonstrate their capacity for change and accept their social responsibility