An Inspector Calls

• “we are members of one body”

  inspector

  socialism vs capitalism
• “Like bees in a hive”

  mr Birling

  responsibility

  Simile
• “her husbands social superior”

  mrs Birling

  class
• “Women of the town”

  Gerald

  gender/class

  euphemistic
• “these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people”

  sheila

  socialism vs capitalism
• “you dont understand anything“

  eric

  repsonsibility

  hyperbole
• “Speaks carefully, weightily”

  inspector

  character

  adjective, contrasts birling
• “lower costs and higher prices”

  mr birling

  socialism vs capitalism
• “I did my duty”

  mrs Birling

  responsibility

  noun
• “Easy well-bred young man-about-town”

  gerald

  character

  idiomatic
• “It’s you two who are being childish”

  Sheila

  old vs young

  irony
• “In that state where a chap easily turns nasty”

  Eric

  gender/reponsibility

  trivialisation
• “Responsibilities as well as privileges“

  inspector

  responsibility
• “Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable“

  mr Birling

  character

  dramatic irony, repetition
• “a rather cold woman”

  Mrs Birling

  character

  oxymoron
• “you were justified in getting Eva sacked”

  Gerald

  responsibility
• “is it the one you wanted me to have“

  Sheila

  gender

  ring- symbolises ownership
• “Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”

  eric

  socialsm vs capitalism/old vs young
• Themes:

  • Socialism vs capitalism
  • Old vs young
  • Gender
  • Class
  • Responsibility
  • Character