Inspector calls

• “As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all the nonsense “ - Mr birling 


  He ridicules this idea. Although he is happy to benefit however he can from the community. The simile of 'bees in a hive' suggests an extremely progressive community where everyone looks after one another. This was exactly the type of society Priestley was trying to promote. Mr Birling's views on community and responsibility are interrupted by the inspector's arrival. This is ironic since the inspector is there to try and teach them about real responsibility.
• “A chain of events“ - inspector goole 


  represents the interconnectedness of actions and consequences within the play. It highlights how each character's decisions contribute to a sequence of events that ultimately lead to the tragedy of Eva Smith's death. This phrase underscores the theme of responsibility, emphasizing that every action has repercussions that affect not only individuals but also society as a whole. Through this chain of events, Priestley critiques the selfishness and indifference of the upper class and advocates for social responsibility and collective action.
• “But these girls aren’t cheap labor , they’re people. “ - Sheila 


  Response to Mr Birling calling the girls cheap labour. She is starting to display more socialist views. Noun, "girls", they are seen as children in society. This sentence shows Sheila is certain of what she is saying by standing up to her father. The noun, "people" shows the changing socialist views in society. Priestley intends to show socialist views are better than capitalist ones because they treat everyone equally. This would help the audience to understand better how capitalist views only cause pain to the lower class.
• “Public men , Mr birling have responsibilities as well as privileges “ - inspector Goole 


  confronts Mr. Birling's self-serving worldview, emphasizing the moral obligations that accompany positions of influence. This quote underscores the play's theme of social responsibility, challenging the arrogance and indifference of the upper class towards the less fortunate. Inspector Goole serves as a moral compass, holding individuals like Birling to account for their actions.
• “girls of that class” - Mrs Birling 


  Mrs Birling dismisses Eva Smith as 'girls of that class'. She sees Eva as just one of many working girls. By grouping the girls together, she shows a lack of humanity; she sees them as a type, not as individuals. There is a sense of snobbery in the determiner 'that' which distances herself from them.
• “You’re not the kind of father a chap can go to when he is in trouble“ - Eric 


  his strained relationship with Mr. Birling. It highlights Eric's sense of emotional abandonment and isolation within his own family. This quote underscores themes of neglect and disconnection, portraying Eric as a vulnerable figure seeking paternal support and understanding, yet finding none.
• “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each over“ - inspector goole


  The Inspector's final speech has a powerful didactic message which is that we all have responsibility for looking after one another. Priestley uses three short blunt sentences that help to emphasis his main point summarised in the last sentence with the metaphor 'one body' cleverly suggests that like limbs of a body we cannot survive without each other again emphasising the socialist idea that we must look out for the most vulnerable in society.
• “ the famous younger generation“ - Mr Birling 


  Birling mocks the younger generation. He has not changed since the beginning of the play and refuses to take the Inspector's warning seriously. As a result, it is people like him that will start the 'fire and blood and anguish. This ironic quote shows that the younger generation have accepted responsibility while the parents are not taking it at all seriously.
• “You began to learn something.And now you’ve stopped“ - Sheila 


  Insights gives the audience a clear summary of what has happened in the play reveals that Sheila really has learnt from the Inspctor . Condemning people for not learning their lesson
• “How about this ring“ - Gerald 


  reflects his attempt to divert attention away from the Inspector's investigation. He presents the ring to Sheila, seemingly as a distraction from the serious matter at hand. This action suggests Gerald's inclination to maintain appearances and avoid confronting uncomfortable truths. It symbolizes his desire to preserve his social standing and personal reputation, even in the face of moral scrutiny. This quote highlights Gerald's manipulative nature and his reluctance to fully engage with the Inspector's interrogation.
• "unsinkable , absolutely unsinkable" - mr birling 


  dramatic irony underscores Birling's comments about the Titanic's unsinkable nature, resonating with the audience's post-Titanic sinking knowledge. This irony highlights Birling's misguided confidence in his political ideology, which parallels the ship's fate. The imminent failure of the Titanic symbolizes the dangers of capitalist hubris, echoing the risks associated with entrepreneurial arrogance in Birling's worldview.
• "If men will not learn that lesson they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish" - inspector goole 


  delivers a powerful message of social responsibility, emphasizing the consequences of selfishness. Through impactful word choice like "fire" and "blood," Priestley alludes to the horrors of war, urging the audience to consider the implications of their actions. The quotation serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of caring for others in society, prompting deep reflection on its significance.
• " One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left " - inspector goole


  With omniscient insight, the Inspector delivers a didactic message, urging empathy through imperatives and emphasizing the widespread struggles epitomized by Eva and John Smith. His repetition of "millions" underscores collective responsibility, reflecting Priestley's socialist themes and prompting audience reflection.
• 'its better to ask for the earth than take it' - inspector goole 


  the Inspector is suggesting that it is socially irresponsible to be greedy and 'take' things without permission. This is a practice the privileged Birlings would be used to.
• "I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women."


  Gerald shows that he can be very superficial in his view of women. If they don't meet his standard of how they 'should' look, he dislikes them.
• Capitalism and Socialism context


  Priestley contrasts Capitalism and Socialism, reflecting England's political shift from a conservative Capitalist society in 1912 to a more Socialist one by 1945. He critiques Capitalism's exploitation of the poor and advocates for Socialism's focus on equality. Through Eva's plight, he highlights the need for workers' rights and social welfare reforms. The play serves as a critique of Capitalism's moral shortcomings.
• reponsibility context 


  Priestley explores the theme of responsibility in the context of social welfare. Set in 1912, the play exposes the failures of charity to address poverty, emphasizing the need for government intervention. By contrasting the era with the social reforms of 1945, Priestley underscores the importance of collective responsibility and the role of the state in safeguarding the welfare of all citizens.
• class context 


  In Edwardian society, a rigid class structure dominated, but by the early 20th century, societal upheavals, including two World Wars and the Great Depression, challenged this hierarchy. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" portrays the stark class divide through the affluent Birlings and the destitute Eva Smith, urging social change. Set just before WWI, it reflects post-WWII shifts in class perceptions.
• gender context 


  women faced inequality and exploitation. The suffragette movement fought for their rights amidst societal challenges. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' exposes the abuse of power by wealthy men like Gerald and Eric, who discard women like Eva. Sheila's evolution reflects changing gender norms. Unmarried pregnancy carried heavy stigma. By 1945, societal attitudes persisted, perpetuating Eva's plight."
• act 1

  Birling family gathers to celebrate the engagement of their daughter, Sheila, to Gerald Croft. Set in 1912, the play unfolds in the Birlings' lavish dining room. Mr. Birling, a prosperous businessman, gives a speech emphasizing his capitalist beliefs and predicting a future of progress and prosperity. However, their festivities are interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Inspector Goole, who informs them of the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith. The Inspector's investigation begins, unraveling the family's secrets and revealing their connections to Eva's tragic fate.
• act 2

  tensions rise as Inspector Goole continues his interrogation of the Birling family. Gerald Croft's involvement with Eva Smith is revealed, adding complexity to the situation. Sheila and Eric's guilt deepens as they confront their own roles in Eva's tragedy. The Inspector's relentless pursuit of truth exposes the family's moral shortcomings, leading to a dramatic climax as each member grapples with their conscience and accountability.
• act 3

  tension escalates as the Birling family faces the consequences of their actions. The Inspector's revelations provoke guilt and conflict, particularly between Sheila and her parents. Gerald's involvement with Eva comes to light, further unraveling the family's facade of respectability. As the Inspector's interrogation intensifies, Arthur Birling's attempts to dismiss responsibility are futile. The play's climax exposes the characters' moral bankruptcy and the pervasive injustices of Edwardian society.
• writers intent 


  J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" aims to provoke introspection and social critique. Through the Birling family's encounter with Inspector Goole, Priestley exposes the bankruptcy of Edwardian society, particularly its class divisions and disregard for the less privileged. The play serves as a cautionary tale, urging audiences to confront their own complicity in societal injustices and advocating for collective responsibility and empathy. Priestley's intent is to ignite discussion and inspire action towards a more just and equitable world.