5 KEY QUOTES

• youd think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married. women are potty about them - gender


  colloquial language shows casual nature of sexist generalisations - defining women to singular characteristics of liking clothes and neglecting to mention any other aspects mirrors societal attitude that women were meant to be pretty and soft spoken
• why shouldnt they try for higher wages? we try for the highest possible prices - capitalism vs socialism


  rhetorical question highlights erics 'half assertive' side due to introduction of socialism (he is directly questioning his father without acknowledging his ignorant pov as response) - alliteration of 'possible prices' compounding how eric realises exploitation that people like his father perpetuate to aquire more wealth
• (shouting) and i say the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her - and thats what matters - guilt


  disjointed sentence shows he is wracked with guilt at his actions - 'thats what matters' juxtaposed with mr birling worrying about 'honour' to try and show people real issue - stage direction 'shouting' marks stark change from timid eric at start of play
• (shouting) and i say the girls dead and we all helped to kill her - thats what matters - older vs younger generation


  erics acceptance of role in death exposes damning view of generation gap where youth accept wrongs but old dont - collective pronoun 'we' shares responsibility which is reminiscient of inspector saying 'we must share something' - hyphens make pauses as eric is repulsed and disgusted by parents (anger consequently causes him to choke on words)
• (mrs birling 'im absolutely ashamed of you') i dont blame you. but dont forget im ashamed of you as well - yes both of you - older vs younger generation


  juxtaposition of eric admitting wrongs and looking to advance with sybils shameless attempts to place the blame on anyone but herself - shows hope for younger generation in accepting wrongs, repetition of ashamed used in dual context (shame for his parent incessant neglecting of moral duties)