Here are a election of quotes from the play "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestley that are commonly used in the study of English Literature for GCSE examinations. These quotes cover key themes, characters, and dramatic moments in the play:
Characters:
Eric
“you killed her – and the Priestley encourages the audience to sympathise with Eric.
child…your own Despite the Inspector’s attempts to enlighten the Birling
grandchild” (Responsibility) family that they are all jointly responsible, Eric’s accusation
of blame upon his mother is tantamount (equivalent) to Mrs
Birling’s blame of the “father”. By merely placing all the
blame upon his mother, with “you killed her,'' Eric attempts to
absolve himself from any blame.
“You don’t understand Eric continues to undermine himself as he berates his
anything. You never did. mother “You don’t understand anything. You never did. You
You never even tried” never even tried”. Priestley’s use of repetition and hyperbole
(Responsibility) creates a parody of the sweeping statements we might
expect a teenager to use in an argument with their parents.
“Why shouldn’t they try for Eric questions “why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?” as
higher wages?” “you said he believes that the capitalist system ought to be fair to both
yourself she was a good employers and employees. He puts forward a moral form of
worker" (Capitalism vs capitalism, pointing out to Birling, “you said yourself she was
socialism / Class) a good worker”, implying that she should be financially
rewarded for this.
“She wasn’t the usual sort” Priestley reveals Eric’s previous experiences with
“She didn’t know what to prostitutes, as Eva “wasn’t the usual sort”. The adjective
do" (Gender inequality) “usual” implies that visiting prostitutes is the norm for Eric.
Eric's observation that “she didn’t know what to do” implies
both that he is attracted to Eva’s innocence, and also that he
might realise that she is a woman he can exploit because of
her naivety.
“in that state when a chap Priestley demonstrates Eric’s subconscious attempts to
easily turns nasty” (Guilt) distance himself from his actions by switching from first
person to third person as he refers to himself as “a chap”
rather than ‘I’. Eric’s trivialisation of such violence of a
possible rape, through the colliquial use of “a chap” is an
attempt by Eric to soften the harshness of his actions.
“I threatened to make a Eric’s violent language, “I threatened”, is softened through
row” (Guilt) the euphemistic use of “a row”. Priestley demonstrates Eric’s
attempts to convince himself that his actions were to a lesser
extent of immorality than they actually were.
“I insisted – it seems” On Eric’s visit to Eva’s lodgings: “I insisted – it seems”.
(Guilt) Priestley’s use of the verb “insisted” implies that Eric may
have physically overwhelmed Eva’s resistance. Priestley’s
use of the ambiguous verb phrase “it seems” reveals Eric’s
attempt to forget his immoral actions, and distance himself
from his guilt.
“I hate these fat old tarts” Eric’s proclaimation of “I hate these fat old tarts” reveals his
(Gender inequality) disgust at his own hypocrisy in frequenting the palace bar,
looking for sex. Priestley implies, through Eric, that - for all
, men - it is a social norm to pay for sex. The upper-class’ use
of prostiution symbolic of their exploitation of the female
lower-class, who are the prostitutes that are abused by high-
class men.
“[not too rudely] Well, don’t Eric is eager to be done with talk of their engagement as he
do any. We’ll drink to their realises the ridiculousness of the toasts for a marriage which
health and have done with is merely a transaction. Eric disapproves, however, he is
it.” (Capitalism vs powerless to do anything. This is aptly demonstrated by
Socialism / Class) Priestley through the stage directions as Eric interrupts “[not
too rudely]” as he doesn’t have the power to challenge his
father directly yet is not quite at ease with the capitalist
purpose of his sister’s marriage.
"[Suddenly guffaws] I don't Priestley’s use of the stage directions to portray Eric as he
know - really. Suddenly I “suddenly guffaws” occurs directly after Gerald tells Sheila
felt I just had to laugh.” that he will “be careful” after she has told him that she is
(Gender inequality) suspicious of Gerald’s time away from her in the summer.
Perhaps this sudden “guffaw” indicates that Eric knows that
Gerald is routinely unfaithful. Eric would certainly see this
first hand as they both attend the Palace Bar specifically with
the intention of picking up women or prostitutes.
"(Involuntarily) My God!" Eric’s emotional response to the news of Eva’s death as
(Morality) Priestley demonstrates his innate rectitude (morality) through
the stage directions. Priestley’s use of the adverb
“involuntarily” demonstrates the moral nature of Eric as he
could not suppress his emotional reaction; it is involuntary.
Eric would not choose to reveal his emotions, within a
patriarchal society which condemns feminine traits, such as
excessive emotion.
Eva Smith
“There are millions and The name ‘Smith’ has its roots in the working class,
millions of Eva Smiths and originating from ‘blacksmith’, and arguably Priestley does
John Smiths” (Class) this to demonstrate that her class is a fundamental part of
her identity and origins, something that she can’t escape.
Priestley uses the common name ‘John Smith’ to symbolise
the universality of the suffering of the working classes,
largely forgotten and neglected by the wealthy.
“died in misery and agony After Sheila’s confession, the Inspector reminds her that Eva
– hating life” (Class) “died in misery and agony – hating life”. The graphic
adjectives “misery and agony” encourage the audience to
empathise with Eva, visualising the pain and suffering she
endured at the hands of the Birlings. Priestley intensifies
Sheila’s guilt as her enjoyment of life is at the expense of
others.
“a girl of that sort would Mrs Birling is prejudiced against Eva’s story due to her class,
(not) ever refuse money” // rather than against Eva as an individual. She even admits to
“impertinence (in claiming this when pointing out Eva’s “impertinence” (in claiming to be
to be Mrs Birling)” // “one Mrs Birling) as “one of the things that prejudiced me against
of the things that her”. The use of the noun “impertinence” is loaded with
, prejudiced me against her" connotations of class prejudice, implying that Mrs Birling
(Hypocrisy) sees herself as superior to Eva. Therefore, those living in
poverty have no way to escape it as they cannot challenge
their exploitation. Eva’s attempt to strike saw her fired and
even the institutes meant to help those in her position are
prejudiced against her.
“a girl of that sort would Mrs Birling claims that “a girl of that sort would (not) ever
(not) ever refuse money” refuse money”, as she assumes that due to her lower-class
(Hypocrisy) origin, she is inherently greedy. Despite this, Eva is
presented as a moral force, who never takes stolen money
and won't marry Eric just for his wealth. This is in contrast to
Eric, who steals money, and the Birlings, who arrange
Sheila’s marriage for financial gain; in the name of “lower
costs and higher prices”.
“[With dignity] we’ve done Priestley’s use of the stage direction "with dignity" suggests
a great deal of useful work that Mrs Birling’s role is not held out of care or compassion
for deserving cases” for the poor, but as a way to gain influence and status. Mrs
(Capitalism vs socialism) Birling claims that the financial aid is reserved only for
“deserving cases”, a decision made at the discretion of the
upper classes, reflecting how the lives of the working classes
are controlled by the wealthy.
“[unhappily] give Eva is a working class woman and suffers because of it,
thousands - yes, beginning with being fired after asking for a living wage,
thousands ---” (Capitalism which is a reasonable request. For the benefit of those who
vs socialism) profit from capitalism, the strikers are not protected and
therefore are exploited. However, Mr Birling’s stinginess is
soon resolved when there is a chance of criminal
prosecution.
"young and fresh and The adjective “fresh” bears connotations of desire and
charming and altogether fertility, demonstrating that Gerald views her with sexual
out of place down there". intent from the start, describing her like food, an example of
(Exploitation) misogynistic objectification. Priestley also includes
connotations of purity as she is "out of place", which is
possibly a euphemism for her still being a virgin.
"very pretty" and having Gerald tries to alleviate his and the other characters’
"big dark eyes" // "leave responsibility by claiming that Eva was many different girls,
after a strike" and "said rather than the same one. This is despite him providing the
something about the shop evidence they were all the same when he linguistically
too" (Hypocrisy) echoes Sheila, describing Eva "very pretty" and having "big
dark eyes". Furthermore, he recalls her telling him she had a
job that she had to "leave after a strike" and "said something
about the shop too". This makes it profoundly clear that the
characters are denying the Inspector’s accusations for their
own benefit – so they can continue to live their materialistic
lives without taking responsibility or trying to change.
"Renton" (Exploitation) Arguably, the name “Renton” is dervived from the verb "to
rent", a euphemism for prostitution in the early 20th Century.
Priestley uses this change in name to mark Eva being forced
to change her approach to surviving in a hostile society. She
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