10 MAIN QUOTES - AIC

• "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own."


  Sums up Capitalism.

  "Business" means working as well as what you get up to. Ironic since their business gets exposed.

  Wealth and yourself are the most important things in life.
• "These girls aren't cheap labour - they're people."


  Battle between capitalism and socialism.

  "labour" doesn't only mean worker but instead presents her as pawn for capitalistic views.

  Gerald's and Sheila's marriage is a product of capitalism.
• "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody, it would be very awkward"


  Links to the idea of responsibility.

  They dehumanize people and therefore everything becomes "awkward" after meeting the Inspector.

  Foreshadows the Birlings fate.
• "First, the girl herself. ... Secondly, I blame the young man who was the father of the child..."


  Dramatic irony.

  Links to morality, she believes that the person who should be blames is dependant on who it is, meaning she has no fixed morality.
• "I wasn't in love with her or anything - she was pretty and a good sport."


  "good sport" suggests that they treat Eva like a game and move on after using her.
• "We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."


  If one person is affected by something everyone is.

  Goes against all the Birling's beliefs and supports socialism and responsibility.
• "The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything." 


  The power of socialism and how it can transform a person.

  Sheila speaks for the poor and injustice.

  The power of capitalism is too strong which will lead to Sheila not being able to talk.
• "They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish."


  This connotes to hellfire or war.

  The Birlings commit moral crimes and the inspector warns them that turmoil awaits.
• "Men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time on business." 


  Mrs Birling is aware of her role of a women and wife and decides to raise her daughter in the same way.
• "Clothes mean something quite different to woman."


  Men were judged upon their wealth and women were judged upon their looks which dictated how they were treated in society.

  Puts a condition on treatment.