Inspector Calls Key Quotations

Understanding the most important quotes from "An Inspector Calls" will help you nail your essays and show off your knowledge of Priestley's social criticism. These quotations reveal character motivations and highlight the play's key themes of social responsibility and class prejudice.

Each quote connects to specific characters and their worldviews. You'll notice how Priestley uses dialogue to expose the selfishness and narrow-mindedness of the upper classes.

Top Tip: When analysing quotes, always consider what they reveal about the character speaking and Priestley's broader social message.

Arthur Birling's Arrogance

"The Titanic - unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" shows Birling making completely wrong predictions in Act 1. Priestley deliberately uses this dramatic irony because the audience knows the Titanic sank, immediately undermining Birling's credibility and judgement.

"If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for earth" reveals Birling's harsh attitude towards workers. He groups all working-class people together as greedy troublemakers who need to be kept firmly in their place.

These quotes establish Birling as an unreliable character whose capitalist views Priestley wants us to question. His confidence in his opinions makes his eventual downfall more dramatic.

Sheila and Gerald's Reactions

"But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself" shows Sheila's initial shallow response to Eva's death in Act 1. She focuses on appearance rather than the tragic circumstances, revealing her privileged detachment from real hardship.

Gerald's quote "I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women" demonstrates his hypocrisy in Act 2. He claims to dislike prostitutes whilst simultaneously admitting he saved Daisy from sexual harassment - showing his contradictory moral standards.

"I didn't install her there so that I could make love to her" reveals Gerald trying to justify keeping Eva as his secret mistress. His defensive tone suggests he knows his behaviour was wrong but won't fully accept responsibility.

Remember: These quotes show how the younger generation initially shares their parents' prejudices before gradually developing social awareness.