An Inspector Calls

• Give 3 quotes from Mr. Birling

  "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"

  "hard - headed man of business"

  "I'd give thousands - yes thousands"
• Analyse "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"


  Mr. Birling is shown to be ignorant through dramatic irony.

  "absolutely" shows arrogance through certainty
• Analyse "hard - headed man of business"


  It shows his capitalist ideology, and a lack of compassion.
• Analyse "I'd give thousands - yes thousands"


  Does not take responsibility - tries to buy his way out.

  Repetition shows the value he places on money.
• Give 3 quotes from Sheila


  "Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - "Look - mummy - isn't it a beauty?"

  "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"

  "You musn't try and build up a wall between us and that girl"
• Analyse "Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - "Look - mummy - isn't it a beauty?"


  "you wanted me to have" - She complies with society's expectations. It shows patriarchal society.

  "Mummy" - immaturity

  The value is placed on status as wife of upper class man.
• Analyse "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people"


  Sheila shows socialist views

  She humanises the working class

  Challenges Mr. Birling's and Gerald's capitalist views
• Analyse "You musn't try and build up a wall between us and that girl"


  She is aware they need to be more socially aware.

  "wall" is a metaphor - she knows society needs to be more integrated.
• Give 3 quotes from Gerald.


  "young, fresh and charming"

  "I didn't install her so I could make love to her"

  "Everything's alright now Sheila, what about this ring?"
• Analyse "young, fresh and charming"


  "young" - predatory

  "fresh" - objectifies

  Juxtaposes other prostitutes
• Analyse "I didn't install her so I could make love to her"


  Believes he's innocent

  "install" - premeditated

  He tries to make it seem romantic
• Analyse "Everything's alright now Sheila, what about this ring?"

  Arrogance of patriarchy. No responsibility.

  Believes Sheila will do as she's told.
• Give 3 quotes from Mrs. Birling


  "My husband was lord mayor only 2 years ago"

  "Girls of that class"

  "I used my influence to have it refused
• Analyse "My husband was lord mayor only 2 years ago"


  Exploits her power and privilege

  Attempts to intimidate
• "Girls of that class"


  Belittles working class women

  Implies upper class are superior

  Creates a social divide between rich and poor
• "I used my influence to have it refused"


  Abuses power

  Prejudice towards working class
• Give 3 quotes from Eric


  "Half - shy half - assertive"

  "She was pretty and a good sport"

  "I insisted. I was in that state when a chap can easily turn nasty"
• Analyse "half - shy, half - assertive"


  He struggles to find his place in society

  Highlights his poor relationship with upper classes.
• Analyse "She was pretty and a good sport"


  Objectifies her

  "good sport" - Lack of awareness of how she really felt

  Patriarchal privilege
• "I insisted. I was in that state when a chap can easily turn nasty"


  "insisted" - abuse of power

  "easily" - downplays seriousness

  "chap" - makes himself seems harmless

  Euphemism for sexual abuse
• Give 3 quotes from The Inspector

  "a chain of events"

  "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths "

  "They will be taught in fire, blood and anguish"
• Analyse "a chain of events"

  Socialist viewpoints

  Social responsibility
• Analyse "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths "


  Repetition emphasises extent of poverty

  Generic names to make it seem relevant to all
• Analyse "they will be taught in fire, blood and anguish"


  "fire" - biblical reference to hell

  "blood" - ww1 and ww2

  "Anguish" - Pain and suffering of wars

  Dramatic irony. Warns 1945 audience not to repeat errors