GCSE English Literature

Social Responsibility in An Inspector Calls11 key quotes with full analysis.

Complete collection of quotes about social responsibility in An Inspector Calls for GCSE English Literature, exploring Priestley's socialist message.

Understanding Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is the most important theme in An Inspector Calls. Written in 1945 but set in 1912, Priestley used the play to advocate for the welfare state and collective responsibility. The Inspector's message - “We are members of one body” - directly argues against the capitalist individualism represented by Mr Birling.

Each Birling contributed to Eva Smith's death through selfish actions. Priestley shows that ignoring social responsibility has consequences - the “fire and blood and anguish” warning clearly references the two World Wars that the 1945 audience had experienced. The play asks: will we learn from our mistakes?

SocialismWelfare StateCollective ResponsibilityCommunity1945 Context

All Social Responsibility 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 GooleAct 1
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.

“It's my duty to keep labour costs down”
Mr BirlingAct 1
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 BirlingAct 1
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.

“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.

“I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
EricAct 3
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.

“She didn't blame me at all. I wish to God she had now. Perhaps I'd feel better about it.”
GeraldAct 2
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.

Explore More An Inspector Calls Themes

View quotes organised by other key themes including class, gender, and the generation gap.

All Inspector Calls QuotesClass Theme