Terms in this set (10)

1. "You're squiffy" - Sheila to Eric (Act 1)
2. Mr Birling: "I speak as a hard headed business man" (Act 1)
3. Mr Birling: "Unsinkable, completely unsinkable" (Act 1)
4. "We really must stop these silly pretences" Sheila to Mrs Birling. (
5. "Girls of that class" Mrs Birling to The Inspector (Act 2)

Likewise, people ask, who said what an inspector calls?

This quote is spoken by Arthur to Gerald and Eric just before the Inspector arrives in Act One. Arthur summarizes his economic and moral worldview for the two young men.

Also, how does Priestley present Love In An Inspector Calls? Priestley made love and marriage a key theme in An Inspector Calls to encourage the audience that the only way to achieve true happiness is to love everyone, regardless of their social class. He did this by presenting couples who married for money or to boost their social status, as unhappy.

Furthermore, what does the following quote tells us about Birling a man has to make his own way has to look out for himself and his family too?

(3) "a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself" - Mr Birling shows that he is arrogant and selfish. This also highlights Priestley's ideas on social responsibility - he wants the audience to see that Mr Birling is wrong.

What does the Titanic represent in An Inspector Calls?

If the questions on the exam would be about Mr Birling, when he says that Titanic is 'unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable', could I say that the dramatic irony suggests that sinking of the Titanic reflects upon Birling's capitalistic ideology that will be eradicated by Inspector.

Related Question Answers

What is the inspectors message in An Inspector Calls?

The Inspector conveys Priestley's most important message, that a change in society's attitude is required. Through Sheila's words, “of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don't already know yet” we can see that the Inspector is believed to be an omniscient presence.

What is the inspectors final message in An Inspector Calls?

The Inspector uses this language intentionally to make the family more likely to confess. As the Inspector delivers his closing speech, he prophesises a terrible future. "And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.

How does Eva Smith kill herself?

He tells them how a girl called Eva Smith has killed herself by drinking disinfectant - he wants to ask them some questions. The Inspector reveals that the girl used to work in Arthur Birling's factory and he had her sacked for going on strike. Mr Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for her death.

Who says we are members of one body?

How successfully does he achieve it. In `An inspector calls` by J.B Priestley, the writers aim is reflected into this quote, "We don't live alone. We are all members of one body.

What does an impression of massiveness solidity and purposefulness tell us?

he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. The fact that his presence combines 'massiveness' with 'purposefulness' suggests that the Inspector would be a very imposing figure. When he tells the others about Eva Smith's death he leaves in the gruesome details.

What does Mr Birling believe is the most important thing a businessman can protect?

Mr Birling is a business man whose main concern is making money. This is what is most important to him and he comes across as being greedy. "we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices."

How is Inspector Goole?

1/4: Inspector Goole Character Notes The Inspector is in his fifties, dressed in a plain dark suit. Throughout these interrogations, Priestley describes the Inspector as speaking "carefully (and) weightily" with "a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before he speaks".

How many Eva Smiths and John Smiths does the inspector say there are?

'But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives. Their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think and say and do.

Is the inspector in an inspector calls a ghost?

His name, 'Goole', suggests he could be a ghost, or perhaps he is a manifestation of our guilt. Of the second inspector, who is on his way to the house at the end of the play, Priestley says, 'this is not simply a dramatic twist, but really the key to the play'.

Why could you say Mr Birling is a metaphor for new money?

It is clear here that Mr Birling is driven by money, he is a capitalist. The fact that he sees his daughter's engagement as a chance to push for 'lower costs and higher prices' shows just how greedy he is. He does not consider the impact 'higher prices' might have on anyone else, he just wants more money.

Why does Birling mention the Titanic?

On Page 7, Mr Birling shows some positive dramatic irony. This is positive dramatic irony because that is exactly what happens, planes were used to go around the world but not in a good way, they were used for war. In the same speech, he says the Titanic is “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”.

How does Priestley present socialism?

Priestley believed in socialism and it is clear to the audience that he used 'an inspector calls' to try and convince people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when a Labour government ruled Britain and socialist policies were starting to be seen by many and used in society.

Who is a socialist in an inspector calls?

J B Priestley believed in socialism, the political idea based on common ownership and that we should all look after one another. Mr Birling represents greedy businessmen who only care for themselves.

Is Mr Birling a capitalist?

Mr Birling is an arch capitalist and hates socialism. After the Inspector has left, Mr Birling speculates that he was not a real inspector at all but rather 'a Socialist or some sort of crank – he talked like one. ' Mr Birling represents the greed, self-importance and stupidity of capitalism.

What is Priestley's message about capitalism?

Priestley's Politics Socialists believe that capitalists (such as Mr Birling) benefit the rich over the poor. Socialism is based on giving power and rights to the working class (such as Eva Smith, working in the factory).

Why is dramatic irony used in an inspector calls?

Priestley uses dramatic irony to make Mr Birling look unreliable and foolish as he is wrong about the Titanic, war and labour. Priestley does this to make the audience distrust Mr Birling. If Mr Birling is wrong about history, his capitalist views may also be wrong.

How does the inspector show socialism?

In An Inspector Calls J.B. Priestly unfairly caricatures capitalism while portraying socialism too favourably. If she'd lived in a socialist system Eva Smith could not have been driven to suicide. The Inspector is right when he says 'We are members of one body.

How were women's roles different in 1912 1945?

Cultural Context (Gender) The play was written in 1945 after WW2 and although it is set in 1912, we can see Priestley's changed views towards women. During WW2, women worked and took on “manly jobs”. Therefore, men had to acknowledge that women were just as capable as men. Women were able to work and had more freedom.

What are the themes in an inspector calls?

An Inspector Calls Themes

• Class. Taking the play from a socialist perspective inevitably focuses on issues of social class.
• Youth and Age. The play implicitly draws out a significant contrast between the older and younger generations of Birlings.
• Responsibility and Avoiding It.
• Cause and Effect.
• Time.
• The Supernatural.
• Social Duty.

What happens between Sheila and Gerald?

Sheila and Gerald seem to be getting married as part of a business arrangement rather than out of love – they don't appear to know each other very well. during her own confession Sheila is angry with Gerald when she feels he is judging her, revealing a lack of understanding between them.

How is hypocrisy shown in An Inspector Calls?

Mr Birling tries to use his social status to intimidate the Inspector. Gerald makes the excuse that he does not want Sheila to listen to the Inspector's questioning in case it is 'unpleasant and disturbing' – this reveals his hypocrisy.

How is gender inequality shown in An Inspector Calls?

Inequality shown through Eva's lack of opportunities. Gender inequality shown through the way men use Eva. Inequality benefits wealthy like the Birlings and Gerald. Inspector points out how society could be more equal.

How does Priestley explore the theme of social responsibility in an inspector calls?

How does Priestly explore responsibility in An Inspector Calls? Priestly explores the theme of social responsibility through the actions of the characters in the play. Through Sheila, the Inspector, and Mr and Mrs Birling, Priestly suggests that everyone has a collective responsibility to one another.

Who gets married in an inspector calls?

Mr and Mrs Birling He climbed it himself by marrying Mrs Birling - his motives for marrying Sybil may have been more for advantage than for love, since she comes from a family 'social[ly] superior' to his.

Why does Birling approve of the marriage between Gerald and Sheila?

During the speech he reveals how happy he is that Sheila is marrying Gerald because Gerald's parents are wealthy business owners. It is clear that Mr Birling feels this marriage will be to his advantage, he boasts that he is to be considered for a knighthood .

How does Priestley present the theme of age in An Inspector Calls?

Age is an important theme in An Inspector Calls. Priestley uses it to show how he believed that there was hope in the younger generation's ability to learn and change. The older characters' opinions and behaviours are stubbornly fixed.

Who says I suppose were all nice people now?

'I don't care about that, the point is that you don't seem to have learnt anything. ' (58) Sheila reveals her generous nature and that she knows that whether the girl died or not, the sins they committed are still with them / have taken place. 'I suppose we're all nice people now.

Who says you seem to be a nice well behaved family?

BIRLING Gerald I'm going to tell you frankly, without any pretences, that your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me. BIRLING Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than Birling and Company - and now you've brought us together. GERALD You seem to be a nice well-behaved family.

How many people died on the Titanic?

1,500 people

How is foreshadowing used in an inspector calls?

In 'An Inspector Calls', JB Priestley uses many literary techniques to create a tense atmosphere that foreshadows the events that occur later in the play. Secondly, Priestley creates an atmosphere of foreshadowing when Sheila teases Gerald about him being 'awfully busy at the works all the time'.

What does Mr Birling say about the war?

The world's developing so fast that it'll make war impossible." Mr Birling is confident that there will not be a war, saying that 'there isn't a chance of war' and then repeating this idea when he considers it 'impossible'. His arrogance and complacency are made very clear.

Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you inspector?

"Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?" He emphasises that Sybil is 'his' wife suggesting that he sees her as a possession.

Who represents the upper middle and lower class in An Inspector Calls?

The characters in 'An Inspector Calls' are mainly upper-middle class (Mr and Mrs Birling, Gerald, Sheila, Eric), but the Inspector is middle class and Eva Smith is working class.

Is the inspector a socialist?

That concept is socialism. Priestley wrote An Inspector Calls, socialism was still a fresh and very popular – even fashionable – movement. Like many writers of his time (including Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells, whom Mr Birling refers to insultingly in act one), Priestley was broadly socialist in his political views.

What dramatic devices are used in an inspector calls?

some examples within the play include the lighting in act 1 Priestley uses a change in lighting to show a change in atmosphere. that the inspectors arrival brings the lighting should be pink and intimate until the inspector arrives. and then it should be brighter and harder.