Snaith // An Inspector Calls: Character Cards

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Order of Class:

1. Gerald Croft

2. Sybil Birling

3. Arthur Birling

4. Eric Birling

5. Sheila Birling

7. Eva Smith / Daisy Renton

The Inspector?

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Gerald Croft

Gerald Croft is the son of Sir George Croft, and heir to Crofts limited Ltd. This is a company larger than Birling and Sons, making him the social superior to the Birlings. He is also getting married to Sheila Birling, something Arthur is excited about. 

Gerald met Daisy Renton at The Palace Bar. He saved her from Joe Meggarty, and they (may have) fell in love. He found accomadation for her, however he knew due to their social differences they couldn't marry, and he was also engaged to Sheila. Gerald was likely the member who cared about her most of the family.

Quotes for:

1. 'My God!... I've suddenly realised - taken in properly - that she's dead-'

2. 'I didn't install her there so that I could make love to her. I made her go to Morgan terrace because I was sorry for her.'

3. 'had some affection for her and made her happy for a time.'

Quotes against:

'I don't come into this suicide business'

'Everything's alright now Sheila.'

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Sybil Birling

Sybil Birling is an Edwardian women with Victorian values. She is of a higher class than her husband, Arthur, yet she is not as high as Gerald. She is on the women's council of Brumley, and 'uses her influence' to turn Eva Smith away.

She is a cow. ('A rather cold women')

Quotes:

'Girls of that class-’

'You have no power to make me change my mind.'

 As if a girl of that sort would refuse money.’ 

 'Oh – Eric – how could you?'

 ‘Gerald you’ve argued this very cleverly and I’m most grateful’

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Arthur Birling

Arthur Birling is the representation of Capatalist values in Edwardian times. He is very strict about both his children, and loves his busines. He starts the play as a 'hard headed man of business' and finishes unchanged. This shows he has an older mindset and values. 

Quotes:

 'for lower costs and higher prices. ’

 ‘Fiddlesticks! The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.’

 'man has to mind his own business and look after himself.'

 ‘I can't accept any responsibility.'

 ‘Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along’

 ‘There’ll be a public scandal’

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Eric Birling

Eric is the son of Mr and Mrs Birling. He is portrayed as a young, bitter man who only cares about himself at the start of the play. Towards the end of the play, his character experiences a redempuion arc, and he is seen as gratuitos and sorry for his actions. he is seen as a disapointment tio his father, when Birling says: "The son-in-law i always wished for"

Quotes:

'Why shouldnt they try for higher prices?'

'What does it matter? She's dead now'

'You know, don't you?'

'I was in a state where a chap turns nasty easily'

'I didn't love her or anything'

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Sheila Birling

Sheila Birling represents the naive young generation before they are moulded by their parents. She, similar to Eric, also has a redemption arc throughout the play. She shows that the generation can still be 'saved' from the capatilistic values of the older generation. She is seen as a sweet young girl who is ahead of her time.

Quotes:

'What was she like? Quite young?'

'No, not really it was my own fault.'

'And if I could help her now, I would'

 ‘Mother, I think that was cruel and vile’

 'Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.'

'But that won’t bring Eva Smith back to life, will it?'

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Eva Smith

Eva Smith is a not-so-subtle representation of the working class. She is portrayed as a poor aninnocent girl who is coincidentally passed around the Birling family until her death by suicide. Eva Smith probably was not just one girl: as opposed to many seperate girls probably used by the Inspector to guilt the Birlings.

Quotes:

'Two hours ago a young woman died in the infirmary'

'Girls of that class-' 

'She only had herself to blame' 

'As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money'

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The Inspector

The Inspector is the fake 'police inspector' sent to the Birling's household. He is a prominent figure, and thouroughly shakes the Birlings, especially Sheila and Eric. He is widely regarded to be a ghoulish figure, with theories ranging from him being a ghost to him being God, or even the ghost of Eva Smith's child. He represents the defenceless middle class, and is the voice of defence against the capitalist Birlings.

Quotes:

'It's better to ask for the earth than to take it'

'Public men, Mr. Birling have responsibilities as well as privileges'

'There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us'

'We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other'

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