An Inspector Calls Character Quotes

INSPECTOR GOOLE

'Yes but you can't, it's too late. She's dead'

• punctuation - tension
• he ignores social conventions to challenge the Birlings

'their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering, and chance of happiness'

• cares about all classes
• socialism and morality

'Don't stammer and yammer at me again man. What did she say?'

• uses 'man' instead of respectful 'sir'
• not intimidated by the Birlings' superior class

ARTHUR BIRLING

'working together - for lower costs and higher prices'

• love and care for his business - important to him
• values of selfishness and survival of the fittest

'You've a lot to learn yet. And I'm talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business'

• repetition - believes that he has wisdom and experience
• Priestley uses dramatic irony

'Now you three young people, just listen to this-'

• demandind attention
• enhance his wisdom and experience
• traditionla patriacrch - he is in charge
• controls conversation

SYBIL BIRLING

'Girls of that class'

• feels superior
• traditionally superior to the lower classes

'Besides, you're not that type - you don't get drunk -'

• belittles her children
• hypocrite and a bad mother

'So I was perfectly justified in advising my committee not to allow her claim'

• repeated - to excuse her actions
• social power
• her committee could have helped

SHEILA BIRLING

'I'll never, never do it again to anybody!'

• shows some guilt
• busy feeling sorry for herself

'Mother - I begged you and begged you to stop'

• wants to help her parents
• she realises that the Inspector knows the full story

'[urgently, cutting in] Mother, don't…