Key Quotes from An Inspector Calls

Preparing for your GCSE English Literature exam? An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley is a pivotal part of the curriculum, and mastering its key quotes is crucial for top marks. To help you ace your exam, we’ve compiled a selection of must-know quotes from each act, complete with brief insights into their significance.

Why Quotes Matter

Quotes are the backbone of your analysis. They provide evidence for your arguments and demonstrate your understanding of themes, characters, and Priestley’s social commentary. Whether you’re tackling an essay question or analysing character development, these quotes will give you the edge.

 

Key Quotes from An Inspector Calls

Act 1: Setting the Stage

"Look- Mummy- isn't it a beauty?" – Sheila
Highlights Sheila’s initial materialism and the Birling family’s privileged mindset.

"But these girls aren't cheap labour—they're people." – Sheila
Shows Sheila’s growing social awareness, contrasting with her parents’ capitalist views.

"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable." – Mr. Birling
Foreshadows his misguided confidence and reflects Priestley’s critique of arrogance.

"We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." – Inspector
The Inspector’s central message, emphasising collective responsibility.

 

Act 2: Unraveling Secrets

"I know I'm to blame—and I'm desperately sorry." – Sheila
Sheila’s maturity and acceptance of guilt contrast with her parents’ denial.

"As if a girl of that sort would refuse money." – Mrs. Birling
Reveals her class prejudice and lack of empathy for Eva Smith.

"I’ve suddenly realised—taken it in properly—that she’s dead." – Gerald
A moment of genuine remorse, though short-lived.

 

Act 3: Consequences and Lessons

"Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide." – Sheila
Sheila’s stark admission of the family’s collective guilt.

"You don’t understand anything. You never did." – Eric
Eric’s outburst against his parents, highlighting generational conflict.

"They will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." – Inspector
A chilling warning about the consequences of ignoring social responsibility.

 

How to Use These Quotes in Your Exam

Link to Themes: Connect quotes to major themes like social responsibility, class, or generational divide.

Analyse Language: Break down Priestley’s word choices—why "fire and blood and anguish" instead of a milder phrase?

Compare Characters: Contrast Sheila’s growth with Mr. Birling’s stubbornness using their quotes.

 

For high-level analysis, detailed breakdowns, and more quotes, check out our An Inspector Calls Cheat Sheet. It’s packed with Grade 9 insights, character profiles, and essay tips to boost your revision!

 

Final Tip: Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t just memorise—practice embedding these quotes into mock essays. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel in your exam.

Ready to take your revision to the next level? Explore our GCSE English Literature bundles for expert-crafted resources that simplify complex texts and help you achieve top grades.

Happy studying! 🚀

 

Want Full Analysis, Exemplar Paragraphs & More Quotes?

This is just a snippet of our An Inspector Calls Cheat Sheet, which includes:
✅ Deep character profiles (Birling, Sheila, Inspector, and more)
✅ Grade 9 essay examples with examiner annotations
✅ Theme breakdowns + key context to boost your analysis
✅ 50+ premium quotes with advanced analysis

🚀 Upgrade your revision—download the full guide now!

 

P.S. Struggling with analysis or quotes? Our text-specific cheat sheets break down An Inspector Calls, A Christmas Carol, and more into Grade 9-ready notes.

 

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