AIC

Act 1

In this act, the characters are introduced and the Inspector arrives. The quotes below highlight key moments that reveal character traits, themes, and dramatic techniques used by Priestley. Other quotes not in the table could be "I speak as a hard-headed practical man of business" (Mr Birling) showing his capitalist mindset, "Is it the one you wanted me to have?" (Sheila) indicating her initial naivety and dependence on others, and "What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!" (Mrs Birling) reflecting generational attitudes towards the younger generation.

Quote Significance
“Eric is in his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.” trying out different identities, discovery. doesn't really know what he wants to do with his life.
“[The Titanic is] unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable [...] facts like that, progress like that.” Birling is shown to be overconfident, arrogant, and defensive. This creates dramatic irony with the audience as the play is set two weeks before the Titanic sinks and the audience know this.
“I might find my way onto the next Honours List. Just a knighthood of course.” Shows what Mr Birling really cares about, more than people’s lives. He only cares about his status and perception – he wants to rub shoulders with the upper class/old money.
“Community and all that nonsense. [...] A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and -”... “We hear a sharp ring of a front door bell.” Dramatic irony, timing. Birling is using his classic lines of argument right as the Inspector arrives.
“Have a glass of port - or a little whisky?”...“No, thank you, Mr Birling. I’m on duty.” Breaks the rule of agreement. The Inspector shows himself to be very different from the other "police".
“They could go and work somewhere else.”...“It isn’t if you can’t go and work somewhere else.” Eric chimes in with this statement, challenging Mr Birling and by extension capitalist ideals.
“Well, don’t tell me that’s because I discharged her from my employment nearly two years ago.” Mr Birling does not care at all, and cannot see what he did wrong. He thinks the Inspector is spouting nonsense.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people.” Sheila is agreeing with the Inspector, showing that she has not yet been indoctrinated with capitalism and actually cares about the working class. "These girls" portrays the working class as an other, further separating them from responsibility.
“So I’m really responsible? [...] It was my own fault.” Sheila, in contrast with Mr Birling, accepts total responsibility quickly.
“Now listen, darling…” Gerald is leaning towards the older generation.

Act 2

In this act, the interrogation continues, and more revelations about each character's involvement with Eva Smith are made. Other quotes not in the table could be "You mustn’t try to build up a wall between us and this girl" (Sheila) showing her understanding of the Inspector's purpose, "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges" (Inspector) highlighting the theme of social responsibility, and "I used my influence to have it refused" (Mrs Birling) reflecting her abuse of power and lack of empathy.

Quote Significance
“I don’t think we can help you much.” “No, Mother - please!” Mrs Birling suggests a refusal or reluctance to give the inspector information, but Sheila already knows that building up a wall only makes it more painful when it’s knocked down.
“We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable.” Implies that the Inspector already knows what is going to happen before the interrogation.
“Girls of that class..” Immediately dismissing girls of a lower class just because of their class.
“No, he’s giving us the rope - so that we’ll hang ourselves.” Sheila knows exactly what is going on, and plays along anyway, because she feels remorse.
“He hasn’t started on you yet.” Eric points out that the Inspector’s questioning will reach each family member, hinting at more hidden guilt.
“The girl saw me looking at her and then gave me a glance that was nothing less than a cry for help.” Gerald describes his first encounter with Eva, suggesting he felt she was vulnerable and in need of rescue.
"But she became your mistress” “Yes, I suppose it was inevitable. [...] I didn’t feel about her as she felt about me." Gerald admits to using Eva without reciprocating her feelings, highlighting his self-interest and lack of true care.
“You mean you don’t choose to, Mrs Birling.” The Inspector confronts Mrs. Birling's refusal to accept responsibility, exposing her moral stubbornness.
“Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of.” Mrs. Birling denies any wrongdoing, claiming moral superiority despite her lack of empathy.

“I am a horrible person” (say this like GLaDOS for full effect)
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.” “Mother - stop - stop!” Mrs. Birling tries to deflect blame, unaware that she’s condemning her own son, as Sheila realises in alarm.

Act 3

In this act, the climax and resolution of the play occur, with the final revelations, Eric's interrogation, and the aftermath of the Inspector's visit. Quotes not in the table could include "I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty" (Eric) indicating his vulnerability and guilt, "But I didn’t know it was you." (Mrs Birling) showing her shock and denial, and "There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did" (Mr Birling) reflecting his refusal to accept responsibility.

Quote Significance
“Because you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble - that’s why.” Mr Birling is a bad parent, cares more about money and status than his own children. Eric has been neglected by his father, and is now heavily drinking because of it.
“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.” Actions have consequences and blame.
"But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.” The Inspector talks about the real reason he came here, and tries one last time to make sure everyone knows the significance of what they did wrong. This is full of classic socialist talking points, and also foreshadows WW1 – the fire, and blood, and anguish.
“Most of this is bound to come out. [...] I was almost certain for the next Honours List.” Mr Birling doesn’t care about what came out, or Eva Smith, only the consequences of it for his status.
“The point is, you don’t seem to have learnt anything.” Sheila knows what the Inspector was trying to do and takes over his role.
“It doesn’t matter who it was who made us confess.” Shows how Sheila has changed throughout the play, first ready to continue as her elders, but now very much turning into a socialist.
“I suppose we’re all nice people now.” Hierarchy of values – others trying to cover it up.
“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothing's really happened at all. [...] It’s what happened to the girl and what we all did to her that matters.” Eric now knows what is going on, and is trying to better himself after committing the worst crime out of all of them.
“See the difference between a lot of stuff like this coming out in private and a downright public scandal.” Mr Birling still only cares about a ‘public scandal’.
“That was the police. A girl has just died - on her way to the infirmary - after swallowing some disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here - to ask some - questions -.” Baffles everyone, powerful closing paragraph.