Guilt Flashcards
Inspector - Guilt
‘Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it’
‘She died in misery and agony - hating life’
‘You see, we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt’
‘But after all it’s better to ask for the earth than to take it’
He is used as a plot device to make these upper-middle class feel guilty. The Inspector wants the family to accept the pain it has caused Eva/Daisy. In this way, guilt plays an important role in the Inspector’s politics.
Psychological impact - Guilt
‘I’m rather more – upset – by this business than I probably appear to be’
‘What he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish’
‘My God – I’m not likely to forget’
‘And I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry – but I can’t believe – I won’t believe – it’s simply my fault that in the end she – she committed suicide’
Fragmented speech shows the breakdown in emotions.
There are varying levels of guilt displayed in the characters throughout the play
Older generation - Guilt
‘I don’t come into this suicide business’ (Gerald)
‘I did nothing I’m ashamed of or that won’t bear investigation’
‘Still, I can’t accept any responsibility’
They have been shown imperical evidence of how their own actions led to Eva’s death yet they still deny this - possibly in an attempt to keep their conscience clean and not feel any guilt or, most likely, just out of arrogance and self-righteousness
Younger Generations - Guilt
“I don’t see much nonsense about it when a girl goes and kills herself. You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely, but I can’t. Nor can mother.”
“we all helped to kill her”
“I know I’m to blame - and I’m desperately sorry - but I can’t believe - I won’t believe - it’s simply my fault that in the end she - she committed suicide.”
Lower class - Guilt
‘I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her (…) I was sorry for her’ -> tries to distance himself from the idea that he only helped Eva through exploitation but he still used his power to control Eva - felt sorry for Eva and thats his reason for helping her - no ulterioir motives (apparently)
‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people’
‘I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty – and I threatenedtomakearow’
Mr&MrsB can’t feel guilt for what they did to Eva because they can’t conceive that a girl of her class is worthy of any time in their day - eg when MrsB says Eva couldn’t possibly have felt “fine feelings and scruples” and that she shouldnt have gotten herself into the situation in the first place - no sympathy.
