An inspector calls

• Favorite quote from Mr. Birling:

  • "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own"
  • Sums up capitalism, emphasizing the importance of wealth and self-interest
  • Business has a double meaning: work and personal affairs
  • Reflects the selfish nature of characters in the play
• Quote about the girls not being cheap labor but people:

  • Represents the battle between capitalism and socialism in the play
  • Highlights how capitalism dehumanizes individuals and changes their perspective on others
  • Can be applied to various characters' actions and relationships in the play
• Quote about responsibility and consequences:

  • "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with it would be very awkward wouldn't it"
  • Shows the characters' attempt to avoid responsibility and the consequences that follow
  • Reflects the theme of accountability and the characters' lack of it
• Mrs. Birling's quote blaming the girl and the young man:

  • "Firstly the girl herself and secondly I blame the young man who was the father of the child he should be made an example of"
  • Dramatic irony as she later discovers the young man is her son Eric
  • Reflects her skewed sense of morality and judgment based on social status
• Morality is how you judge what is good and bad
• Good is dependent upon who does it and bad is dependent upon who does it
• Mrs. Birling believes that good is dependent on the person who does it, shifting blame based on the individual
• Stealing a pen is bad, but if stolen by experts, it's considered okay
• Eric describes Eva as pretty and a good sport, reflecting the patriarchal view of women as objects to be used
• Men viewed women as good sports, using them for their own pleasure and discarding them when they were no longer useful
• Men, especially the rich, had power over women and could do as they pleased, reflecting gender inequality and privilege
• The Inspector emphasizes collective responsibility, stating "we are members of one body and we are responsible for each other"
• This quote can be used to critique capitalism, patriarchy, and injustice in society
• It highlights the contrast between individualism and socialism, showing the power of collective responsibility
• Sheila Birling's transformation is evident in Act 3 when she confronts her family, stating "the point is you don't seem to have learnt anything"
• This quote symbolizes the shift towards socialism and the empowerment of marginalized voices like Eva Smith
• It also reflects the failure of the Birlings to learn from their mistakes and change their ways
• The Inspector warns the Birlings about the consequences of their actions, stating "if you don't change... you will be taught in fire, blood, and anguish"
• This quote foreshadows the potential consequences of their moral crimes, hinting at future turmoil or even war
• It emphasizes the idea that moral crimes have repercussions, even if not legally punishable
• Mrs. Birling acknowledges traditional gender roles, stating "when you're married you realize that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business"
• This quote reinforces the societal expectations placed on women to support their husbands and prioritize family duties
• It highlights the unequal division of labor and power between men and women in the early 20th century
• Clothes hold different meanings for women, as reflected in the quote "clothes mean something quite different to a woman"
• Women were judged based on their appearance and attire, influencing how they were treated in society
• The quote underscores the conditional nature of respect and treatment based on gender and outward appearance