Social Class In An Inspector Calls Quotes

So, you've just finished reading J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls", huh? Great stuff, isn't it? Let's grab a coffee and chat about those juicy social class quotes, yeah?

Mr. Birling's World

Let's start with our good old capitalist, Mr. Birling. Now, this guy, he's got opinions about social class, hasn't he? He's all "a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself, and his family, of course, while he's at it."

I mean, can you even with the "each man for himself" vibe? It's like he's living in some sort of Ayn Rand novel, right? But hey, that's Mr. Birling for you - captain of industry and all that jazz.

Enter the Inspector

Then in strolls this Inspector Goole, all mysterious and whatnot. He's got a different take on things, hasn't he? He's all "you can't do anything nowadays without everybody being involved."

I mean, talk about a buzzkill, right? Here's Mr. Birling, spouting off about individual responsibility, and then the Inspector's all "nah, it's all connected, mate."

Mrs. Birling's Take

Now, Mrs. Birling, she's a piece of work, isn't she? She's all "I've never been one for these so-called socialists. All that talk about things being 'everybody's business'..."

I mean, can you even with the side-eye she's giving the Inspector? It's like she's thinking "who do you think you are, coming in here and ruining my party?"

'Social Class' in An Inspector Calls: Key Quotes & Analysis - YouTube

Sheila's Perspective

But then there's Sheila, the daughter. She's young, she's impressionable, and she's starting to see things a little differently, isn't she?

She's all "I expect I shall look at people differently in the future." And you can just see the cogs turning in her head, can't you? She's realizing that maybe, just maybe, her dad's not always right.

Eva Smith's Story

And then there's Eva Smith. Or is it Daisy Renton? Poor girl's been through the wringer, hasn't she?

She's all "I'm not one of these new-fangled socialists... But I do think that if a girl's in trouble, she ought to be able to go somewhere and get help."

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I mean, can you even with the raw honesty of it all? She's just a girl trying to make her way in the world, and look what happens to her.

So, What's the Point?

So, what's Priestley trying to say with all this social class chat, huh? Well, I reckon he's saying that we're all connected, right?

He's saying that our actions have consequences, and those consequences can ripple out and affect people we've never even met. He's saying that maybe, just maybe, we should think about other people once in a while.

And you know what? I think he's got a point. So, next time you're feeling all "I'm just one person, what difference can I make?" remember "An Inspector Calls". Remember Eva Smith. Remember that we're all connected.

And with that, I'm all talked out. How about you? Fancy another coffee?