GCSE English Literature

An Inspector Calls Quotes35 key quotes with analysis for GCSE success.

Essential quotes from J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls organised by character. Each quote includes context, themes, language analysis, and exam tips.

Inspector GooleMr BirlingMrs BirlingSheilaEric

Key Themes in An Inspector Calls

Social ResponsibilityClassGenderAge and GenerationGuiltMoralityCapitalism vs SocialismAppearance vs RealityTime

Historical Context

Set in 1912

Before WWI and the sinking of the Titanic. The Birlings represent the complacent, optimistic upper-middle class who believed in endless progress and individual responsibility only.

Written in 1945

After two World Wars that proved Mr Birling wrong. Priestley uses dramatic irony to show the audience that social change is needed - the welfare state was being created when the play was first performed.

Inspector Goole Quotes

“We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityCommunitySocialism

Context: The Inspector's final speech before leaving the Birling household.

Analysis

Priestley uses the Inspector as his mouthpiece for socialist ideology. The biblical allusion to "one body" (1 Corinthians 12) gives the message religious authority. The simple sentences and repetition of "we" create a sermon-like quality. This encapsulates the play's central message.

Language Techniques:

Biblical allusionRepetitionTricolonDirect address

Exam Tip

Link to post-war context - the play advocates for the welfare state. Compare to Birling's capitalist individualism.

“If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityConsequencesWar

Context: The Inspector's warning at the end of his final speech.

Analysis

The prophecy references both World Wars (the play is set in 1912 but written in 1945). The listing creates a sense of inevitable, escalating horror. "Fire and blood and anguish" evokes biblical apocalypse. Priestley warns that ignoring social responsibility leads to destruction.

Language Techniques:

ProphecyTricolonBiblical languageDramatic irony

Exam Tip

The 1945 audience knew the prophecy had come true. Link to Priestley's belief that society must change.

“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityClassPower

Context: The Inspector challenges Birling's dismissal of his workers' welfare.

Analysis

The Inspector directly challenges upper-class entitlement. The balance of "responsibilities" and "privileges" suggests they should be equal. "Public men" implies those with power are accountable to society. This undermines Birling's self-serving philosophy.

Language Techniques:

Direct addressBalanced structureChallenge to authority

Exam Tip

Contrasts with Birling's "a man has to mind his own business." Shows conflicting ideologies.

“We are all interlinked as one community”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityCommunityInterconnection

Context: The Inspector explains why Eva Smith's death concerns everyone present.

Analysis

The organic metaphor of being "interlinked" suggests society is a living organism where each part affects the whole. "Community" emphasises shared responsibility. This directly opposes Birling's individualist capitalism.

Language Techniques:

Organic imageryInclusive pronoun "we"

Exam Tip

Link to Priestley's socialism. The family literally is "interlinked" to Eva through their actions.

“One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityClassUniversal Message

Context: The Inspector universalises Eva's story in his final speech.

Analysis

The repetition of "millions" emphasises the vast scale of social injustice. Eva becomes a symbol for all exploited working-class people. The common names "Smith" make her representative of ordinary people. The Inspector challenges the Birlings to see beyond their individual case.

Language Techniques:

RepetitionSymbolismUniversal application

Exam Tip

Eva represents the entire working class. Priestley wants the audience to see their own responsibility to "millions" of people.

“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”
Inspector Goole
Collective ResponsibilityGuiltMemory

Context: The Inspector assigns collective guilt to the family.

Analysis

The imperative "Remember" and "Never forget" create a moral obligation. "Each of you" ensures no one can escape blame. The simple, direct sentences carry the weight of a verdict. The Inspector acts as judge, ensuring the family cannot deny their role.

Language Techniques:

Imperative verbsDirect addressShort sentences

Exam Tip

The Inspector functions as judge and conscience. His commands echo moral and religious instruction.

Mr Birling Quotes

“The Titanic... unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Mr Birling
ArroganceDramatic IronyFalse Confidence

Context: Birling boasts about progress and technology at the dinner party.

Analysis

The Titanic sank in 1912, the year the play is set. Priestley uses dramatic irony to undermine Birling's credibility. The repetition of "unsinkable" emphasizes his foolish certainty. His confidence in human progress parallels his social complacency.

Language Techniques:

Dramatic ironyRepetitionHubris

Exam Tip

The audience knows Birling is wrong - this makes them question his other views. Links to his wrong predictions about war.

“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”
Mr Birling
CapitalismIndividualismClass

Context: Birling lectures Eric and Gerald about business and life.

Analysis

This encapsulates capitalist individualism that Priestley critiques. The tricolon of "mind," "look after," and "his own" emphasizes selfishness. It directly contradicts the Inspector's later message about collective responsibility. The possessive "his own" reveals his narrow worldview.

Language Techniques:

TricolonDeclarative statementPossessive pronouns

Exam Tip

This is the opposite of the Inspector's message. Birling represents the attitudes Priestley wants to change.

“I'm a hard-headed, practical man of business”
Mr Birling
CapitalismSelf-imageArrogance

Context: Birling justifies his treatment of workers.

Analysis

"Hard-headed" and "practical" are meant as positives but suggest coldness and lack of compassion. The repetition of these self-descriptions reveals insecurity. He uses business to excuse moral failings. Priestley shows how capitalism can be used to justify cruelty.

Language Techniques:

Self-characterizationAdjectives

Exam Tip

His self-image is constantly undercut by events. "Hard-headed" also suggests inability to change.

“The Germans don't want war... there isn't a chance of war”
Mr Birling
Dramatic IronyArroganceFalse Confidence

Context: Birling predicts peaceful future to Gerald and Eric.

Analysis

WWI began two years after the play's setting. Like the Titanic comment, this dramatic irony destroys Birling's credibility. The audience knows his confident predictions are catastrophically wrong. Priestley suggests such complacency enabled the war.

Language Techniques:

Dramatic ironyDeclarative statements

Exam Tip

Shows Birling is out of touch. 1945 audience had lived through two wars - they know ignorance has consequences.

“Community and all that nonsense”
Mr Birling
CapitalismIndividualismDismissiveness

Context: Birling dismisses socialist ideas at the dinner party.

Analysis

"Nonsense" reveals Birling's contempt for collective responsibility. The dismissive "all that" shows he won't even engage with the argument. This attitude is exactly what the Inspector will challenge. Priestley positions the audience against Birling from the start.

Language Techniques:

Dismissive languageContempt

Exam Tip

Sets up the central conflict of the play. Birling's views will be systematically dismantled.

“It's my duty to keep labour costs down”
Mr Birling
CapitalismExploitationResponsibility

Context: Birling justifies refusing Eva's pay rise.

Analysis

"Duty" frames exploitation as moral obligation - a perversion of responsibility. He sees workers as "costs" to be minimised, not people. This dehumanising language enables his cruel decision. Priestley shows how capitalist thinking erases human dignity.

Language Techniques:

EuphemismDehumanisationSelf-justification

Exam Tip

Birling uses the language of duty to avoid moral responsibility. Contrast with the Inspector's version of duty.

“I can't accept any responsibility”
Mr Birling
DenialResponsibilityMoral Blindness

Context: Birling refuses to acknowledge his role in Eva's death.

Analysis

The negation "can't" suggests inability rather than unwillingness - Birling genuinely cannot see his fault. "Any responsibility" shows complete denial. This refusal to accept blame contrasts with Sheila and Eric's guilt. Birling represents moral inflexibility.

Language Techniques:

NegationDenialModal verb

Exam Tip

Birling never changes. His inability to accept responsibility is his defining flaw.

Mrs Birling Quotes

“I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility.”
Mrs Birling
HypocrisyClass PrejudiceDramatic Irony

Context: Mrs Birling reveals she turned Eva away from charity because Eva claimed to be married to a "Mr Birling."

Analysis

Mrs Birling unknowingly condemns her own son. The dramatic irony creates tension - the audience realizes Eric is the father before she does. Her repeated deflection of "responsibility" onto others exposes her hypocrisy. She uses morality selectively to punish those below her class.

Language Techniques:

Dramatic ironyDramatic tensionHypocrisy

Exam Tip

One of the most powerful moments of dramatic irony. Shows how she condemns others while protecting her family.

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”
Mrs Birling
Class PrejudiceSnobberyMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling dismisses the suggestion that Eva refused Eric's stolen money.

Analysis

"That sort" reveals her dehumanizing class prejudice - Eva is reduced to a type, not a person. The exclamation shows certainty in her prejudice. Mrs Birling cannot imagine moral integrity in a working-class woman. Ironically, Eva had more moral sense than the Birlings.

Language Techniques:

Class markersExclamationDramatic irony

Exam Tip

Eva's moral superiority contrasts with Mrs Birling's snobbery. Shows how class blinds people to others' humanity.

“Girls of that class”
Mrs Birling
Class PrejudiceDehumanization

Context: Mrs Birling repeatedly uses dismissive language about Eva Smith.

Analysis

The phrase reduces Eva to her class, denying her individuality. "That" creates distance, while "class" shows she views society as rigidly stratified. Mrs Birling cannot see working-class people as fully human. This attitude enabled her cruel treatment of Eva.

Language Techniques:

Class markersDehumanizing languageDemonstrative pronoun

Exam Tip

Mrs Birling represents entrenched upper-class attitudes. She refuses to change throughout the play.

“I did nothing I'm ashamed of”
Mrs Birling
DenialPrideMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling defends her refusal to help Eva.

Analysis

The complete lack of shame reveals Mrs Birling's moral bankruptcy. She genuinely believes her cruelty was justified. Unlike Sheila who feels ashamed, Mrs Birling cannot recognise her wrongdoing. This makes her the play's least sympathetic character.

Language Techniques:

NegationSelf-justificationIrony

Exam Tip

Mrs Birling never changes. Her pride prevents any moral growth.

“I was the only one of you who didn't give in to him”
Mrs Birling
PrideStubbornnessMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling boasts about resisting the Inspector.

Analysis

Mrs Birling sees resistance to the Inspector as strength, not moral failure. "Give in" frames accepting responsibility as weakness. She remains proud of her cruelty. Priestley shows that some people are incapable of change - a warning to the audience.

Language Techniques:

Self-congratulationIrony

Exam Tip

What she sees as strength, the audience sees as stubbornness and cruelty.

Sheila Quotes

“But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people”
Sheila
Social ResponsibilityClassMoralityChange

Context: Sheila challenges her father's attitude towards workers.

Analysis

The dash creates emphasis on "they're people," revealing her moral awakening. She recognises workers as human beings, not commodities. This simple statement carries enormous weight as it challenges the dehumanizing language of capitalism. Sheila represents hope for generational change.

Language Techniques:

AntithesisEmphatic dashDirect statement

Exam Tip

Shows Sheila's growth - she moves from shallow privilege to social awareness. She represents Priestley's hope.

“I'll never, never do it again to anybody”
Sheila
GuiltResponsibilityChangeMorality

Context: Sheila's remorseful response after learning of her role in Eva's death.

Analysis

The repetition of "never" shows genuine remorse and determination to change. Unlike her parents, Sheila accepts responsibility. Her promise to change behaviour is the response Priestley wants from his audience. She becomes morally superior to the older generation.

Language Techniques:

RepetitionFirst personPromise

Exam Tip

Contrast with Mrs Birling who refuses to accept blame. Sheila embodies the possibility of moral growth.

“You're squiffy”
Sheila
Family SecretsYouth

Context: Sheila teases Eric during the engagement dinner, noticing he's drunk.

Analysis

This slang term shows Sheila's initial frivolity and upper-class speech patterns. It also hints at Eric's alcoholism - a family secret. The light-hearted opening contrasts with the tragedy that unfolds. Even this casual remark shows the family isn't as perfect as they appear.

Language Techniques:

SlangForeshadowing

Exam Tip

Shows the superficial happiness before the Inspector arrives. Eric's drinking is foreshadowed early.

“The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything”
Sheila
ChangeGenerational DivideMorality

Context: Sheila confronts her parents after they dismiss the Inspector as a hoax.

Analysis

Sheila directly accuses the older generation of moral failure. "Learnt" emphasizes education and growth - what her parents refuse. The present tense "don't seem" suggests ongoing failure. She has morally surpassed her parents through the evening's events.

Language Techniques:

Direct addressAccusationPresent tense

Exam Tip

Key moment showing generational divide. Priestley presents hope through the younger generation.

“I behaved badly too. I know I did. I'm ashamed of it.”
Sheila
GuiltSelf-awarenessHonesty

Context: Sheila acknowledges her own guilt in Eva's story.

Analysis

The simple admissions "I know" and "I'm ashamed" show honest self-reflection. Unlike her parents, Sheila doesn't hide behind excuses. Her willingness to admit fault is the first step to moral growth. Priestley shows that acknowledging guilt is necessary for change.

Language Techniques:

First personAdmissionSimple sentences

Exam Tip

Sheila's honesty contrasts with her parents' denial. She represents the capacity for moral growth.

“Fire and blood and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk”
Sheila
FearConsequencesGenerational Divide

Context: Sheila echoes the Inspector's warning to her parents.

Analysis

Sheila repeats the Inspector's prophetic words, showing she has internalised his message. "Frightens me" reveals genuine fear for the future. She sees her parents' attitudes as dangerous. The echo suggests the Inspector's lesson will continue through the younger generation.

Language Techniques:

RepetitionEchoFear

Exam Tip

Sheila becomes the Inspector's successor in some ways - carrying his message forward.

Eric Quotes

“You're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble”
Eric
FamilyMasculinityFailure

Context: Eric confronts his father about their distant relationship.

Analysis

The informal "chap" and formal accusation create painful contrast. Eric reveals emotional neglect beneath their respectable facade. "Kind of father" implies Birling has failed fundamentally in his parental role. The family's dysfunction contributed to Eric's problems.

Language Techniques:

Direct accusationInformal registerFamily dynamics

Exam Tip

Shows the family's emotional bankruptcy. Eric's problems partly result from lack of paternal guidance.

“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
Eric
AlcoholViolenceResponsibility

Context: Eric explains how he forced himself on Eva when drunk.

Analysis

Eric attempts to excuse his behaviour through drunkenness while acknowledging his violence. "State" and "easily" suggest he sees it as almost inevitable, a concerning attitude. "Nasty" is a euphemism for sexual assault. Eric shows some guilt but also deflects responsibility.

Language Techniques:

EuphemismSelf-justification

Exam Tip

Eric accepts some responsibility but also makes excuses. His honesty contrasts with his parents' denial.

“We did her in all right”
Eric
Collective ResponsibilityGuilt

Context: Eric summarizes the family's collective guilt.

Analysis

The colloquial "did her in" starkly states what others avoid saying - they caused Eva's death. "All" emphasizes collective responsibility - no single person can escape blame. Eric's blunt assessment cuts through his family's attempts at self-justification.

Language Techniques:

ColloquialismCollective pronounBlunt statement

Exam Tip

Eric and Sheila both accept collective responsibility, unlike their parents.

“I don't see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can't.”
Eric
GuiltMoral ClarityGenerational Divide

Context: Eric refuses to dismiss the evening's events like his parents.

Analysis

Eric's anger shows genuine moral awakening. "You lot" creates distance from his parents. Unlike them, he "can't" escape his guilt - conscience prevents it. The blunt reference to suicide refuses to euphemise. Eric, despite his flaws, achieves moral clarity.

Language Techniques:

Direct speechAccusationMoral clarity

Exam Tip

Eric aligns with Sheila against their parents. Despite his crimes, his guilt makes him more sympathetic.

“And I say the girl's dead and we all helped to kill her - and that's what matters”
Eric
Collective ResponsibilityMoralityTruth

Context: Eric insists on the family's guilt despite the Inspector possibly being fake.

Analysis

Eric cuts through his parents' attempts to evade responsibility. Whether the Inspector was real doesn't change the moral truth. "That's what matters" shows his focus on ethics over reputation. He grasps the Inspector's message: actions have consequences regardless of who is watching.

Language Techniques:

Simple statementMoral focusDirect speech

Exam Tip

Eric understands that their guilt exists regardless of the Inspector's identity.

Gerald Quotes

“Everything's all right now, Sheila. What about this ring?”
Gerald
DenialAppearance vs RealityMorality

Context: Gerald tries to resume the engagement after the Inspector is revealed as potentially fake.

Analysis

Gerald's immediate return to the engagement shows he has learned nothing. "Everything's all right" dismisses the evening's revelations. He prioritizes social appearances over moral truth. The ring symbolizes returning to the superficial status quo.

Language Techniques:

SymbolismDismissive language

Exam Tip

Gerald sides with the older generation. His attempt to restore normality shows moral failure.

“She was young and pretty and warm-hearted - and intensely grateful”
Gerald
ClassExploitationGender

Context: Gerald describes his relationship with Daisy Renton (Eva Smith).

Analysis

The listing sentimentalizes his exploitation. "Grateful" reveals the power imbalance - she depended on him entirely. Gerald presents himself as her savior while actually taking advantage of her vulnerability. His romantic language masks the reality of class-based exploitation.

Language Techniques:

ListingSentimentalitySelf-justification

Exam Tip

Gerald genuinely cared for Eva but still exploited her. Shows how even "kindness" can be exploitative.

“I became at once the most important person in her life”
Gerald
PowerClassGender

Context: Gerald describes his relationship with Eva/Daisy.

Analysis

Gerald's self-importance reveals the power dynamic. Eva's vulnerability made him "important" - he enjoyed the control. His pride in being essential to her shows he benefited from her desperation. The relationship was inherently unequal.

Language Techniques:

Self-importancePower dynamics

Exam Tip

Gerald's "rescue" still exploited Eva's vulnerability. Even well-intentioned relationships can be exploitative.

“She didn't blame me at all. I wish to God she had now. Perhaps I'd feel better about it.”
Gerald
GuiltRegretResponsibility

Context: Gerald reflects on ending his relationship with Eva.

Analysis

Gerald shows genuine remorse for how he treated Eva. His wish for blame suggests guilt seeking punishment. Unlike the Birlings, he doesn't try to justify himself completely. However, this guilt doesn't lead to lasting change.

Language Techniques:

Religious languageConditionalRegret

Exam Tip

Gerald feels guilt but doesn't change. His remorse is temporary, unlike Sheila and Eric's.

Generational Divide

Older Generation

Mr & Mrs Birling refuse to accept responsibility. They prioritise reputation over morality and dismiss the Inspector as a hoax.

Key quote: “A man has to mind his own business”

Younger Generation

Sheila & Eric accept guilt and want to change. They represent hope for the future and embody Priestley's socialist message.

Key quote: “These girls aren't cheap labour - they're people”

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