Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls.md) › Inspector Goole Quotes # Inspector Goole Quotes English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 3.6.2 ## Inspector Goole - Key Quote (Act 1) **‘A chain of events’**. Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 1: ### Consequences ![Consequences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/999d5258-bcaa-4a21-ba85-47abef304ee9/shutterstock_364912553.jpg) - Inspector Goole shows that, while a single action might not have dire results, the build-up of a series of bad events (caused by the Birlings and Gerald) can ultimately lead a young girl to suicide. - In this way, Priestley encourages the audience, and the characters, to think about the role they play in other people’s lives. - He encourages them to think carefully about the dangerous effect their actions can have if they do not think of others and abuse their power. ## Inspector Goole - Key Quote (Act 2) **‘And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?’** Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 2: ### Hypocrisy ![Hypocrisy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a18b8c72-c73d-4e55-bbfa-bdeec007f5b4/shutterstock_284804657.jpg) - This is a direct reference to Gerald’s mistreatment of Eva Smith. - Inspector Goole uses this opportunity to highlight the hypocritical (act in the opposite way to their beliefs) nature of the upper classes – they want to protect their own, fragile, innocent women, but they feel it is acceptable to use lower-class women for their own enjoyments. ### Treatment of Eva ![Treatment of Eva](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/0beb30b0-4475-4716-b227-57b3f9544158/2eda7f9f-f8d5-47ff-b915-384240c02ae2.png) - While Mr Birling and Gerald try to protect Sheila from hearing ‘unpleasant things’, neither of them feel the need to protect Eva from them. - Gerald did protect her for a while, but he kept her as a mistress (a woman who has a sexual relationship with a married man) and then discarded her. - This is something that upper-class men would not think to do to upper-class women because they’d have too much respect for them. ## Inspector Goole - Key Quote (Act 3) **‘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’.** Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 3: ### Consequences of selfish attitudes ![Consequences of selfish attitudes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d580402f-f709-498c-9e9c-4adedb146a12/shutterstock_481545385.jpg) - Priestley uses the Inspector to warn the Birlings and Gerald of the consequences of their selfish attitudes – if they do not begin to take some responsibility for other people, including the lower classes, then society will face dire (terrible) consequences. ### Message about wars ![Message about wars](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/6fe90347-e576-4e9d-a057-f388b4cabff8/shutterstock_482692798.jpg) - He is referring to World War One and Two here, which his 1946 audience would have lived through. - This could be designed to show audiences the real cause of the wars: selfishness and greed. - This would deepen their dislike of Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and Gerald. In the next part of this act, they completely ignore this warning and begin to act selfishly once more. ## Test yourself on Inspector Goole Quotes - What's Priestley encouraging his audience to think about with the quote **‘a chain of events’**? - **‘A chain of events’** - What act is this quote from? - Who says **'a chain of events’**? - What's Inspector Goole referring to in the following quote from Act 2?‘And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?’ - How did Gerald mistreat Eva? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1bcb11c0-2c27-11e8-b18d-d1082cf88b6d/section/d518f200-2dc1-11e8-aca5-6f58cd924721/session) - Previous topic: [3.6.1 Inspector Goole Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-1-inspector-goole-analysis.md) - Next topic: [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-eric-gerald-and-inspector-goole.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Act 1 - [1.1.1 Act 1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-1-act-1-summary.md) - [1.1.2 Act 1 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-2-act-1-key-quotes.md) - 1.2 Act 2 - [1.2.1 Act 2 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-1-act-2-summary.md) - [1.2.2 Act 2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-2-act-2-key-quotes.md) - 1.3 Act 3 - [1.3.1 Act 3 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-1-act-3-summary.md) - [1.3.2 Act 3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-2-act-3-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.3 Act 3 More Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-3-act-3-more-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-acts-1-2-and-3.md) ### 2 Context & Key Themes - 2.1 Context & Key Themes - [2.1.1 Social Class & Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-1-social-class-and-equality.md) - [2.1.2 Class Tension](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-2-class-tension.md) - [2.1.3 Abuse of Power & Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-3-abuse-of-power-and-corruption.md) - [2.1.4 Socialism vs Capitalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-4-socialism-vs-capitalism.md) - [2.1.5 Blame & Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-5-blame-and-responsibility.md) - [2.1.6 Attitudes to Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-6-attitudes-to-women.md) - [2.1.7 Characterisation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-7-characterisation-of-women.md) - [2.1.8 Dramatic Function of Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-8-dramatic-function-of-characters.md) - [2.1.9 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-9-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes-2.md) - [2.1.11 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-11-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [2.1.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-socialism-vs-communism.md) - [2.1.13 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-13-diagnostic-misconceptions-edna.md) - [2.1.14 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-14-diagnostic-misconceptions-women-in-the-play.md) - [2.1.15 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-15-diagnostic-misconceptions-eva-smith.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Mr Birling - [3.1.1 Mr Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-1-mr-birling-analysis.md) - [3.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-2-mr-birling-quotes.md) - [3.1.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-arrogance.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-illegality.md) - 3.2 Mrs Birling - [3.2.1 Mrs Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-1-mrs-birling-analysis.md) - [3.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes.md) - [3.2.3 Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-3-exam-style-questions-mrs-birling.md) - 3.3 Sheila - [3.3.1 Sheila Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-1-sheila-analysis.md) - [3.3.2 Sheila Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-2-sheila-quotes.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-the-birlings-and-sheila.md) - 3.4 Eric - [3.4.1 Eric Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-1-eric-analysis.md) - [3.4.2 Eric Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-2-eric-quotes.md) - 3.5 Gerald - [3.5.1 Gerald Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-1-gerald-analysis.md) - [3.5.2 Gerald Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-2-gerald-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-geralds-morals.md) - 3.6 Inspector Goole - [3.6.1 Inspector Goole Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-1-inspector-goole-analysis.md) - [3.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes.md) - [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-eric-gerald-and-inspector-goole.md) - [3.6.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost.md) - 3.7 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.7.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-7-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Authorial Method - 4.1 Arrangement & Structure of the Play - [4.1.1 Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-1-setting-lighting-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [4.1.2 Structure & Chronology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-2-structure-and-chronology.md) - [4.1.3 Structure & Chronology 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-3-structure-and-chronology-2.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) - [4.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-flashbacks.md) ### 5 Recap: Main Quotes - 5.1 Mr Birling Quotes - [5.1.1 Mr Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-1-mr-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-2-mr-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.1.3 Mr Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-3-mr-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.2 Mrs Birling Quotes - [5.2.1 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-1-mrs-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.2.3 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-3-mrs-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.3 Sheila Quotes - [5.3.1 Sheila Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-1-sheila-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.3.2 Sheila Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-2-sheila-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.3.3 Sheila Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-3-sheila-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.4 Eric Quotes - [5.4.1 Eric Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-1-eric-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.4.2 Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-2-eric-quotes-act-1-2nd-quote.md) - [5.4.3 Eric Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-3-eric-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.5 Gerald Quotes - [5.5.1 Gerald Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-1-gerald-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.5.2 Gerald Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-2-gerald-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.5.3 Gerald Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-3-gerald-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.6 Inspector Goole Quotes - [5.6.1 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-1-inspector-goole-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.6.3 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-3-inspector-goole-quotes-act-3.md)