An Inspector Calls - Social Class Quotes

Questions and Answers

What does Mr. B's statement, 'Perhaps I ought to warn you that he's an old friend of mine' imply?

He is being polite.

He believes his status is more important than the Inspector. (correct)

He is making a joke.

He thinks the Inspector is his subordinate. (correct)

What does Mrs. B's comment about 'Girls of that class' reveal?

She values all human life.

She supports equality.

She looks down on the working class. (correct)

She has no opinion on social class.

What does Mr. B imply with 'If you don't come down hard on these people they'll soon be asking for the world'?

He makes the workers' demands seem unreasonable.

What does the phrase 'community and all that nonsense' suggest?

Mr. B dismisses the idea of community responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gerald describe Eva Smith?

She was very pretty - soft brown hair and big dark eyes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core message of the Inspector when he states, 'We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other'?

Everyone is connected and has a responsibility towards each other. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. B's reaction, 'Look at the way he talked to me,' reveal about him?

He feels entitled to different treatment due to his social status. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. B assert about his political career?

I was an alderman for years - and Lord Mayor two years ago. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sheila mean when she says, 'You mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl?'

She understands the moral consequences of her actions. Signup and view all the answers

What impression does the Inspector create?

He creates an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector mean by, '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'?

Consequences will come if people do not learn responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What does the repetition of 'millions' imply when the Inspector says, 'Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths'?

There are many vulnerable people in society. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector imply when he states, 'If there weren't the factories and warehouses wouldn't know where to look for cheap labour?'

He is aware of the exploitation of workers by Mr. Birling. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector want the family to understand with, 'You've had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.'

They need to acknowledge their faults. Signup and view all the answers

Mrs. Birling believes she is at fault for denying assistance to Eva.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector hope to achieve by stating, 'I thought it would do us all a bit of good if sometimes we tried to put ourselves in the place of these young women?'

He wants them to understand the experiences of the less fortunate. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eric imply with, 'You're not the type of father a chap could go to'?

There is a fracture in the father-son relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector mean by 'It's better to ask for the world than take it'?

Eva's death could have been avoided if they had acted differently. Signup and view all the answers

Before finding out Eric is the father, the statement 'Make an example of the young man eh? Public confession of responsibility' reveals what about rich people?

They assume they are exempt from certain circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sheila's statement 'But she was very pretty...I couldn't feel sorry for her' reflect?

Her materialism and inability to understand diverse life experiences. Signup and view all the answers

The younger generation is more difficult to reach according to the Inspector.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does Gerald's statement 'I became at once the most important person in her life - do you understand?' imply?

He is attempting to justify his actions towards Eva. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Inspector's parting speech, 'If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish' suggest?

There will be dire consequences for not learning responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'And a police inspector is on his way here now' signify?

It is a double denouement. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Gerald ask, 'Do you mind if I give myself a drink Sheila?'

He needs a drink to maintain his composure. Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement 'Gerald set her up as his mistress and then dropped her when it suited him' reflect about men and women?

Men feel they can exploit women, who are expected to be subservient. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mr. Birling's attempts to intimidate the Inspector reflect his belief in the superiority of his social position.
Mrs. Birling's disdain for the working class is highlighted by her derogatory language, suggesting a superiority complex.
Mr. Birling employs hyperbole to downplay the workers' demands, portraying them as unreasonable and exaggerated.
The Inspector's challenge to social norms is dismissed by Mr. Birling, illustrating the latter's resistance to community responsibility.

Character Insights

Gerald's description of Eva emphasizes her beauty, which starkly contrasts with the cruelty of her treatment, enhancing the tragedy of her story.
The Inspector presents a universal truth of interdependence, stressing that everyone is responsible for one another, which serves as Priestley's broader message to society.
Mr. Birling's shocked response to the Inspector's authority reveals his ingrained belief that social status should dictate treatment.

Parental Relationships

Mr. Birling’s self-centeredness is evident in his repeated use of 'I', which shifts to 'we', downplaying serious issues as the narrative progresses.
Sheila's realization of her moral mistakes symbolizes a shift in attitudes towards social responsibility, making her a vehicle for Priestley's message.

Consequences and Accountability

The Inspector urges the Birlings to reflect on their actions, aiming to instill a sense of collective guilt.
Mrs. Birling's refusal to acknowledge her wrongdoings highlights the entrenched attitudes of the upper class regarding their responsibilities.

Themes of Gender and Power

The Inspector's awareness of labor exploitation challenges the self-serving attitudes of the wealthy, represented by Mr. Birling's business practices.
Eric's estranged relationship with Mr. Birling underscores a generational divide in values and responsibilities toward the less fortunate.

Final Reflections

The repeated phrase of “millions” encapsulates the vast number of marginalized individuals, amplifying the importance of social awareness.
The Inspector’s strong dismissal of the Birlings’ excuses culminates in his ominous warning of impending societal upheaval.
The play concludes with a twist, leaving the audience to ponder the implications of their actions and societal roles as a police inspector’s arrival hints at consequences.

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Description

Explore key quotes related to social class from the play 'An Inspector Calls'. This quiz will help you understand the characters' perspectives and the significance of class distinctions within the narrative. Test your knowledge and deepen your comprehension of the text's themes.