Inspector calls quotes

• What quote shows that Mr B is used to show capitalist viewpoint throughout the play?

  "Well its my duty to keep labour costs down"
• "Is there any reason why my wife should answer to you"
• "Titanic is unsinkable"
• "But I care. I was certain for a knighthood in the next Honours list".
• "There isn't a chance of war"
• Mrs B- "I don't think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this"
• Mrs B- "It would be much better if Sheila didn't listen to this story at all"
• Mrs B- "I was the only one who didn't give in to him"
• Sheila - "Mummy- isn't it a beauty?"
• Sheila- "Mother, I think that was cruel and vile"
• Sheila - "It frightens me the way you talk"
• What does Priestley describe Eric like at the start of the play?


  "not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive"
• Eric- "Why shouldn't they try for higher wages?"
• Eric - "I don't give a damn"
• Gerald- " Everything's all right now, Sheila"
• Mr B- "The famous younger generation who know it all"
• Mr B- "I speak as a hard-headed business man"
• Inspector- "they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish". The "it" that the Inspector refers to is the lesson that "we are responsible for each other". The characters are shocked. The repetition "and" makes it seem as if the destruction the Inspector predicts will be extensive. The hellish imagery is shocking as it echoes the idea that people who fail to show kindness may go to hell. This makes the Inspector's message more memorable.
• Sheila - "These girls aren't cheap labour- they're people"
• Mrs B- "As if a girl of that sought would every refuse money"
• Sheila- "You're just beginning to pretend all over again"
• Inspector- "We are members of one body" - emphasises the importance of the inspector's role. Said during his final speech in Act Three. He means that everyone is linked because we are all part of the same society. Short, simple sentence increases the impact of the statement because it is so abrupt. This makes its meaning stand out and seem important.
• Inspector- "Was it or was it not your influence?"
• "I know I'm to blame- and I'm desperately sorry" & "I can't stop thinking about it" - Sheila. Portrayed as both sympathetic and courageous as she is the first character to emphasise with Eva Smith's situation- guilt.
• "I'm very sorry. But I think she only had herself to blame." This is said towards the Inspector, she is the least compassionate person in the play. 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.
• "he's giving us the rope- so that we'll hang ourselves"- Sheila means that the Inspector is encouraging the Birlings to talk. This leads them to confess their own guilt. Sheila is anxious about Inspector's enquiries and the potential consequence of them on the family. In 1912, murderers were often hanged, by comparing them to murderers, Sheila suggests that their 'crimes' are very serious.