An Inspector Calls

• Inspector Goole (act 1)

  “A chain of events”- metaphor, symbolic of the build-up of a series of bad events (caused by the Birlings and Gerald) can ultimately lead a young girl to suicide.
• Mr Birling : “The Titanic… absolutely unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.”


  Dramatic Irony - Makes Birling look foolish and arrogant. Shows his ignorance and obsession with status. The audience immediately distrusts him.
• Mr Birling : “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself.”


  Capitalist Ideology - Represents selfish capitalist views. Priestley critiques this attitude through the Inspector’s arrival right after.
• Mrs Birling : “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”


  Dramatic Irony - Ironically shifts blame to Eric—her own son. Shows her ignorance and refusal to see what’s right in front of her.
• Mrs Birling : “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”


  Prejudice - Assumes working-class girls are greedy and dishonest. Reflects deeply ingrained stereotypes of the time.
• Sheila : “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”


  Emotive Language - Early sign of her social conscience and empathy. Opposes her father’s capitalist views.
• Sheila : “Fire and blood and anguish.”


  Biblical Imagery - Repeats the Inspector’s warning—shows she internalises his message and supports social responsibility.
• Sheila : “You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.”


  Metaphor - She realises the social divide between classes must be broken down. She’s insightful and morally aware.
• Eric : “You’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble.”


  Emotive Language - Reveals a cold, distant father-son relationship. Highlights the failures of upper-class parenting
• Eric : “I was in a state where a chap easily turns nasty.”


  Euphemism - Implies sexual assault. Priestley shows how toxic masculinity and entitlement can harm vulnerable women
• Eric : “The fact remains that I did what I did.”


  Repetition - Takes ownership of his actions. Priestley uses him as a symbol of hope and change in the younger generation.
• Gerald : “I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be.”


  Emotive Language - Tries to show remorse, but the vagueness makes it feel performative. Priestley shows that guilt without change is pointless.
• Gerald : “Everything’s all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”


  Symbolism - Offers the engagement ring again like nothing happened. He hasn’t changed—shows male privilege and lack of growth.
• Sheila : “I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.”


  Repetition, Emotive language - She genuinely feels guilty and takes full responsibility. Priestley uses her as a voice for social conscience
• Sheila : “He’s giving us the rope – so that we’ll hang ourselves.”


  Metaphor - She understands the Inspector’s method. Shows her increasing intelligence and awareness
• Gerald : ““I don’t come into this suicide business.”


  Deathly imagery - At first, he tries to distance himself from blame. Shows privilege and avoidance of responsibility
• Gerald : “We’re respectable citizens and not criminals.”


  Irony - He believes social class protects him from blame—Priestley exposes this as false security
• Gerald : ““She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”


  List - He paints Eva in a romantic light—shows he used her but also had some emotional connection
• Eric : Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?


  Rhetorical Question - Early sign that Eric has some sympathy for the working class, unlike his father
• Eric : You killed them both – damn you, damn you –


  Repetition, Emotive language - He lashes out at his mother. Shows how affected he is and that he accepts responsibility
• Inspector Goole : We are members of one body.


  Metaphor - The Inspector’s key message. He promotes social responsibility and unity
• Inspector Goole : There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us.


  Repetition, Symbolism - Eva is a symbol of the working class. The Inspector warns the audience that injustice is still happening
• Inspector Goole : Each of you helped to kill her.


  Direct Address - He holds them all responsible. Shows how individual actions have collective consequences
• Inspector Goole : Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.


  Direct Address - He directly criticises Mr Birling’s selfish capitalist view. Priestley’s voice comes through here
• Inspector Goole : Fire and blood and anguish.


  Triad, deathly imagery - A warning about the consequences of ignoring responsibility—references war and suffering. A very powerful ending
• Mr Birling : If you don’t come down sharply on these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.


  Hyperbole - Birling sees the working class as greedy and ungrateful. Highlights his prejudice
• Mr Birling : Probably a socialist or some sort of crank.


  Dismissive tone - Birling mocks the Inspector’s message—Priestley uses him to represent the old, stubborn upper class
• Mrs Birling : Girls of that class-


  Classism - She’s prejudiced against the working class, assuming they’re less moral or honest
• Mrs Birling : I did nothing I’m ashamed of.


  Irony - She shows no guilt or growth. Priestley criticises the lack of social responsibility in the upper class
• Grade 9 key words for Inspector Goole


  Prophetic : Because he predicts the consequences of the Birling’s actions and he foreshadows the end of the play. Omniscient : All knowing
• Grade 9 key words for Mr Birling:


  Supercilious : arrogantly superior and dismissive
• Grade 9 key word Mrs Birling:


  Apathetic: Uncaring and emotionally detached
• Grade 9 key word for Sheila : 


  Altruistic : Selfless and concerned for others
• Grade 9 key words for Eric : 


  Disillusioned : Disappointed by reality; lost faith in ideas
• Grade 9 key word for Gerald : 


  Debonair : Charming and confident, often superficially