An Inspector Calls Themes

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"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."
Mrs Birling is proud to display her prejudice against Eva when she called herself 'Mrs Birling' in front of the committee. Mrs Birling's position, as an upper class influential lady in the town, put her in a position of power above Eva.
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"'We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other."
This is the main message of the play. The Inspector, the moral mouthpiece, speaks to the Birling family just before he leaves, hammering his point home by repeating We to re-iterate that all of us are involved.
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"We often do [make an impression] on the young ones. They're more impressionable."
The Inspector tells Mrs Birling that his work makes more of an impact on the young. We go on to see how Sheila and Eric are conscience-struck by their actions while Mr and Mrs Birling try to absolve themselves of blame.
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"Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges."
Mr Birling is so full of his success and his future knighthood that he tries to brush away his responsibilities: the Inspector reminds him of his duties. Mr Birling has forgotten that without the labour of the working classes.
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This card is not needed.
This card is not needed.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

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

Back

This is the main message of the play. The Inspector, the moral mouthpiece, speaks to the Birling family just before he leaves, hammering his point home by repeating We to re-iterate that all of us are involved.

Card 3

Front

"We often do [make an impression] on the young ones. They're more impressionable."

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

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

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

This card is not needed.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

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