An Inspector Calls Key Quotes

"Your father and I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now, through Crofts Limited are both older and bigger than Birling and Company - and now you've brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to a time when Crofts and Berlings are no longer competing but we are working together. For lower costs and higher prices"

"Last month, just because the miners came out on strike, there's a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the near future. Dont worry. We've passed the worst of it."

"Not a few German officers talking nonsense, and a few scaremongers here are making a fuss about nothing"

"We can't let these Bernard Shaws and H.G Wellses do all the talking"

"I gather theres a rather good chance of a Knighthood, so long as we behave ourselves, dont get into the police court or start a scandal, eh? (Laughs complacently)"

"That man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own- and -" (We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell)

"Two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course"

Mr Birling: "We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now, haven't you?"

The Inspector: "Thats more or less what I was thinking earlier tonight, when I was in the Infirmary looking at what was left of Eva Smith. A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody's made of it."

Gerald: After all, y'know, we're respectable citizens and not criminals

Inspector: Sometimes there isn't as much difference as you think. Often, if it was left to me, I wouldn't know where to draw the line

"But I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse. Did it make much difference to her?"

"I went to the manager and told him that this girl had been very impertinent, and- and-" (She almost breaks down but controls herself). "How could I know what would happen afterwards? If she'd been some miserable plain little creature, I dont suppose I'd have done it. But she was very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself."

(She looks at him almost in triumph. he looks crushed. The door slowly opens and The Inspector appears, looking steadily and searchingly at them)

Inspector: "Well?"

Gerald: "Why should you? Its bound to be unpleasant and disturbing"

The Inspector: "And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?"

Gerald: "If possible - Yes"

The Inspector: "Well, we know one young woman who wasn't, dont we?"

"You see, we have to share something. If theres nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt"

"I'm Mrs.Birling, y'know."

Mrs.Birling: "You seem to have made a great impression on this child, Inspector"

The Inspector: "We often do on the young ones. They're more impressionable"

"You're looking tired, dear. I think you ought to go to bed - and forget about this absurd business. You'll feel better in the morning"

"Please dont contradict me like that. And in any case I dont suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl commited suicide. Girls of that class--"

"I went down into the bar for a drink. Its a favourite of the women of the town"

Inspector: "And then decided to keep her as your mistress"

Mrs.Birling: "What?"

Sheila: "Of course, Mother. It was obvious from the start. Go on Gerald, dont mind mother"

"She kept a rough sort of diary. And she said there that she had to go away and be quiet and remember, 'Just to make it last longer'". She felt there'd never be anything as good again for her - so she had to make it last longer." 

"Public men, Mr.Birling. Have responsibilites as well as privelages" 

"(with dignity) Yes. We've done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases."

"I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence - quite deliberate - and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case"

Sheila: "Mother, she's just died a horrible death - dont forget"

Mrs. Birling: "I'm very sorry. But I think she only had herself to blame" 

"If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me. Inspector, you're quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I'm ashamed of or that wont bear investigation" 

Sheila: No you haven't. Simply because I've done nothing wrong - and you know it.

Inspector: I think you did something terribly wrong - and that you're going to spend the rest of your life regretting it. 

"That doesn't make it any less yours. She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have needed it more. And you not only refused it yourself but saw to it that the others refused it too. She was here alone, friendess, almost penniless, desperate. She needed not only money but advice. Sympathy, friendliness. You've had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face" 

Mr.Birling: "She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position." 

The Inspector: "(very sternly) Her position now is that she lies with a burnt-out inside on a slab!(Mr Birling tries to protest) Dont stammer and yammer at me again, man. I am losing all patience with you people." 

Inspector: "Who is to blame then?"

Mrs.Birling: "First, the girl herself." 

Mrs.Birling: "And if you'd take some steps to find this young man and then make sure that he's compelled to confess in public his responsibility - instead of staying here and asking quite unnecessary questions - then you really would be doing your duty!"

Inspector: "Dont worry, Mrs.Birling. I shall do my duty."

Inspector holds up a hand. We hear the front door. They wait, looking towards the door. Eric enters, looking extremely pale and distressed. He meets their inquiring stares

"Then - you killed her. She came to you to protect me - and you turned her away - yes, you killed her - and the child she'd have had too - my child - your own grandchild - you killed them both - damn you, - damn you." 

"Each of you helped kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. But then I dont think you ever will. "

' Well, Eva Smith is gone. You cant do her anymore harm. You cant do her any good now, either. You cant even say. "I'm sorry, Eva smith" ' 

"Drop that! Theres every excuse for what both your mother and I did - It turned out unfortunately, thats all -"

"But dont you see, if all that's come out tonight is true. Then it doesn't much matter who it was who made us confess. And it was true, wasn't it?" 

"Whats the use in talking about behaving sensibly? You're beginning to pretend like nothings happened at all! And I cant see it like that..." 

"No, because I remember what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk, and I cant listen to any more of it!" 

"That was the police. A girl has just died - on her way to the Infirmary - after swallowing some strong disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here - to ask some questions-"
(As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls)