Stop wasting time scouring through the play looking for the best Inspector Calls quotes. We have done the work for you.
Last updated: 24 April 2026
Character-by-character analysis
Use these guides alongside the quotes to build a complete picture of the play:
- How is Inspector Goole presented
- How is Mr Birling presented
- How is Mrs Birling presented
- How is Sheila Birling presented
- How is Eric Birling presented
- How is Gerald Croft presented
- Who is Eva Smith
Below you will find the quotes with a simple point (as in a PEA paragraph point). If you don’t fancy analysing them yourself, then simply follow the links to the full character tables, where you’ll find them fully analysed for language, structure and form, even linked to effect with a sprinkling of context. Exactly what GCSE examiners love.
Thanks, Oxbridge GCSE Tutor, so how does this work then?
Read this first!
This page is for pupils in a hurry who want to know which Inspector Calls quotes they need for each character.
Below, you will find 42 killer Inspector Calls quotes, organised into tables of 6, one table per character. Each row gives you a POINT (what the quote shows) and a QUOTE (with translation or context where helpful). Easy.
Tiered strategy so you never over-revise:
- Going for Grade 8 or 9? Learn all 6 quotes for each character. This gives you the widest range of evidence and themes to pick from in the exam.
- Going for Grade 7 or below? Just take rows 1, 6 and one middle row that speaks to you. That is 3 quotes per character, which is plenty to hit the top of Grade 7.
Why 6 quotes per character is genius for themes too
Priestley hammers the same handful of ideas over and over: social responsibility, class, capitalism versus socialism, gender and the generation gap. Every character carries at least two or three of those themes on their shoulders.
That means when you learn 6 well-chosen quotes per character, you automatically have a bank of evidence for any theme question too. You do not need to learn separate theme quotes. Bonus.
Just remember: when answering a theme question, adapt the POINT to the theme being asked. The quote stays the same. The analysis is mostly the same. Only the first sentence of your paragraph changes.
Let us crack on…
6 best Inspector Goole quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Goole’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | [Stage Direction] “massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” Surrounding circumstances Described in the opening stage direction as the Inspector enters the Birling dining room. |
| Priestley suggests that those in power must face individual accountability. | “One person and one line of inquiry at a time” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to the family as the Inspector begins his methodical interrogation in Act One. |
| The writer implies that capitalist exploitation is more immoral than socialist demands. | “it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it” Surrounding circumstances Said to Arthur Birling, contrasting Eva’s right to fair wages with Birling’s exploitation. |
| Priestley warns that a divided society will inevitably destroy itself. | “We are members of one body” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to the Birling family in the Inspector’s final speech before he departs. |
| The writer suggests that ignoring social duty leads to catastrophic consequences. | “taught it in fire and blood and anguish” Surrounding circumstances Spoken in the Inspector’s closing speech, warning the family of collective consequences. |
| Priestley ends Goole’s story arc with a sense of tension. | [Stage Direction] “As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls.” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the Inspector departs, leaving the family in stunned silence. |
Going for Grade 7 or below? Just take rows 1, 6 and one middle row that speaks to you. Grade 8/9 students: learn all 6.
Add these quotes to your notes and then click the button below to see the individual analysis for each character.
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If you’re struggling to work out what these quotes mean then click the button below and visit the main page for that character where everything is explained fully.
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6 best Arthur Birling quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Birling’s story arc with a sense of irony. | “hard-headed, practical man of business” Surrounding circumstances Self-description given at the celebratory engagement dinner at the start of Act One. |
| Priestley suggests capitalists’ arrogance leads to catastrophic misjudgement. | “there isn’t a chance of war” Surrounding circumstances Spoken confidently to Gerald at the dinner, just before the Inspector arrives. |
| The writer implies employers who prioritise profit destroy vulnerable lives. | “it’s my duty to keep labour costs down” Surrounding circumstances Said to the Inspector when defending his decision to sack Eva Smith for leading a strike. |
| Priestley warns that powerful men normalise exploitation to protect privilege. | “I am not defending him. But you must understand that a lot of men” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to the Inspector, attempting to normalise employers who dismiss striking workers. |
| The writer suggests capitalists who mock guilt can never learn social responsibility. | [pointing at Sheila and Eric, and laughing] Surrounding circumstances Stage direction showing Birling mocking Sheila and Eric’s guilt after the Inspector leaves. |
| Priestley ends Birling’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | [As they stare guiltily… the curtain falls.] Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the telephone rings confirming a real inspector is on his way. |
6 best Sybil Birling quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Mrs Birling’s story arc with a sense of irony. | “not supposed to say such things” Surrounding circumstances Stage direction ‘reproachfully’ shows her scolding tone. |
| Priestley suggests upper-class women perpetuated patriarchal control by teaching daughters to accept it. | “You’ll have to get used to that, just as I had” Surrounding circumstances Spoken directly to Sheila about her engagement to Gerald. |
| The writer implies upper-class snobbery prevents any genuine understanding of working-class suffering. | “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand…” Surrounding circumstances Spoken during the Inspector’s investigation into Eva’s death. |
| Priestley warns that upper-class denial protects the guilty from accepting consequences. | “It isn’t true” Surrounding circumstances Stage direction ‘staggered’ shows her physical shock. |
| The writer suggests the privileged will never accept social responsibility without being forced. | “He certainly didn’t make me confess” Surrounding circumstances Spoken after the Inspector has left the Birling household. |
| Priestley ends Mrs Birling’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | “stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction of the act. |
6 best Sheila Birling quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Sheila’s story arc with a sense of playfulness and whimsy. | “Mummy – isn’t it a beauty?” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to her parents at the engagement dinner, admiring the ring Gerald has just given her. |
| Priestley suggests that privileged young women can develop empathy when confronted with suffering. | “These girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.” Surrounding circumstances Said to her father during questioning, defending Eva’s right to fair treatment at the factory. |
| The writer implies that genuine remorse separates those who can change from those who cannot. | “I’m desperately sorry – I can’t believe… it’s simply my fault…” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to the Inspector after she realises her complaint got Eva dismissed from Milwards. |
| Priestley warns that independently minded women must reject patriarchal control to grow. | “[She hands him the ring.]” Surrounding circumstances Stage direction in Act Two when Sheila returns the ring to Gerald after his confession. |
| The writer suggests that socially responsible young people expose their elders’ moral cowardice. | “…it’s you two who are being childish –” Surrounding circumstances Said to her parents in Act Three, calling out their refusal to accept responsibility. |
| Priestley ends Sheila’s story arc with a sense of hope. | “[As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls.]” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the family waits in dread for the real inspector’s arrival. |
6 best Eric Birling quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Eric’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | “You’re squiffy” Surrounding circumstances Said by Gerald to Eric in Act One, hinting at Eric’s drinking before the Inspector arrives. |
| Priestley suggests that immaturity in young men does not prevent moral clarity. | “could have kept her on instead of throwing her out” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to his father during the Inspector’s questioning, challenging Birling’s dismissal of Eva. |
| The writer implies that privileged young men routinely exploit vulnerable women. | “pretty and a good sport” Surrounding circumstances Description given by Eric to the Inspector about why he was attracted to Eva Smith. |
| Priestley warns that capitalist fathers who prioritise money destroy family bonds. | “not the kind of father a chap would go to” Surrounding circumstances Said to the Inspector, explaining why he could not turn to his father for help. |
| The writer suggests that only the younger generation can accept social responsibility. | “the fact remains….We did her in all right” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to his parents in Act Three, refusing to minimise the family’s collective guilt. |
| Priestley ends Eric’s story arc with a sense of hope. | “As they stare guiltily…the curtain falls.” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the family waits in dread for the second inspector’s call. |
6 best Gerald Croft quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Gerald’s story arc with a sense of irony. | “well-bred young man-about-town” Surrounding circumstances Stage direction describing Gerald as he arrives at the Birling dinner at the start of Act One. |
| Priestley suggests privileged men disguise exploitation as chivalry. | “young and pretty and warm-hearted” Surrounding circumstances Said by Gerald to the Inspector, describing Eva as he encountered her at the Palace bar. |
| The writer implies even momentary guilt cannot overcome inherited entitlement. | “I’ve suddenly realised … she’s dead” Surrounding circumstances Spoken to Sheila after Gerald confesses his affair with Eva, known to him as Daisy Renton. |
| Priestley warns that the upper classes prioritise reputation over responsibility. | “no more real evidence” Surrounding circumstances Said by Gerald to the Birlings after he returns having investigated whether the Inspector was genuine. |
| The writer suggests inherited wealth teaches men to treat people as disposable. | “What about this ring?” Surrounding circumstances Said by Gerald to Sheila at the end of Act Three, offering to resume their engagement. |
| Priestley ends Gerald’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | “stare guiltily” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the curtain falls on the stunned Birling family. |
6 best Eva Smith quotes
| POINT | QUOTE |
|---|---|
| Priestley begins Eva’s story arc with a sense of foreboding. | “a lot to say… had to go” Surrounding circumstances Description given by Arthur Birling to the Inspector, explaining why he dismissed Eva from his factory. |
| Priestley suggests that working-class women are punished simply for existing. | “If she’d been… plain” Surrounding circumstances Said by the Inspector to Sheila, implying Sheila’s complaint about Eva was driven by jealousy. |
| The writer implies that vulnerable women become reliant on wealthy men’s charity. | “warm-hearted – and intensely grateful” Surrounding circumstances Said by Gerald to the Inspector, describing Eva’s character when she became his companion. |
| Priestley warns that even principled working-class women cannot escape a system designed to destroy them. | “wouldn’t take any more… didn’t want to see me” Surrounding circumstances Said by Eric to the Inspector, explaining that Eva refused to accept his stolen money. |
| The writer suggests that society’s collective cruelty destroys the most vulnerable lives entirely. | “young woman died… swallowed… disinfectant” Surrounding circumstances Spoken by the Inspector to the family, describing how Eva died after swallowing disinfectant. |
| Priestley ends Eva’s story arc with a sense of pathos. | “stare guiltily… the curtain falls” Surrounding circumstances Final stage direction as the play ends with the Birling family confronting their collective guilt. |
SUMMARY
That is the full set: 42 Inspector Calls quotes, 7 characters, every quote chosen to double up for theme questions.
So, no more scratching around on the Internet for quotes that do not even fit GCSE requirements. Everything you need is right here.
There is a lot to take in. Bookmark this page and come back to it whenever you need to refresh your memory, especially in the final weeks before the exam.
For more on analysing LANGUAGE, check out our guide to Language Techniques for GCSE English.
Want to nail STRUCTURE analysis? See our Structure Techniques guide.
Need FORM explained clearly? Try our Form Techniques guide.
Keep practising, stay curious, and you will be well on your way to mastering Inspector Calls in no time. Happy revising.
Peace.
The Oxbridge GCSE Tutor.
