An Inspector Calls Character Quotations edexcel 2-Post-1914-Literature

Key word or phrase to memorise: “you youngsters” and “hard school of experience”

What the quotation means: Arthur tells Sheila and Eric that his experience outweighs education, and that they should heed his advice to look after one’s own family instead of everyone else’s

Theme: Capitalism versus Socialism

• Arthur Birling is presented as patronising, and often wrong despite his certainty:

  • He belittles his adult children, calling them “you youngsters”

  • In this way, Priestley exposes Arthur as an arrogant parent

• Priestley portrays Arthur Birling’s strong disagreement with socialist philosophies:

  • His capitalist views are illustrated by his pride as a businessman

  • His description of a “good hard school of experience” challenges academics

  • He thinks “practical” businessmen “know” better than socialist writers like the “Bernard Shaws and H.G.Wellses”

Key word or phrase to memorise: “a lot to say” and “had to go”

What the quotation means: Arthur Birling explains to the Inspector that he had no choice but to dismiss Eva as she was part of the protestors and was too outspoken

Theme: Guilt

• Contrasting characters highlight ideas about morality and guilt:

  • The Inspector and Eric support the right to protest for fair wages, however Arthur Birling feels no guilt

  • The modal “had to” implies that, as a good businessman, he had no choice

  • His words illustrate the lack of workers’ rights in Edwardian England 

• Arthur Birling ironically says that he dismissed Eva for saying “far too much”:

  • This subtly mocks Mr Birling’s hypocrisy as he often talks at length

  • Priestley presents Arthur Birling’s argument as farcical

Key word or phrase to memorise: “cover this up”

What the quotation means: When Eric tells his father that he stole money from his office, Arthur Birling’s first priority is ensure he is not exposed

Theme: Responsibility

• Priestley presents Arthur Birling as unchanged despite the Inspector’s visit:

  • He lacks personal responsibility and avoids accountability

• Arthur Birling insists on keeping things hidden:

  • Earlier in the play he expresses concern about the “press”

  • Rather than engage with his son’s actions he chooses to cover it up

  • Priestley challenges capitalism by exposing their virtue as a facade

Key word or phrase to memorise: “important work” and “get used to that”

What the quotation means: Sybil Birling tells Sheila that she must not complain and suggests that Sheila should get used to Gerald focusing on business

Theme: Gender

• Priestley illustrates the patriarchal system in 1912 through Sybil and Sheila Birling:

  • Sheila’s mother perpetuates gender norms before suffrage 

  • She teaches Sheila that her husband is superior and to submit to him

  • She implies that Gerald’s work is more important than his marriage

• In fact, Eric is the only one to protest:

  • He laughs and questions their interest in Sheila’s happiness