inspector Flashcards
“Need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
shows his power right from the outset. foreshadows the inspector will leave a big impression and impose on the family.
“…It’s better to ask for the Earth than to take it”
defending unions etc
socialist message
the Inspector is suggesting that it is socially irresponsible to be greedy and ‘take’ things without permission.
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
reminding us of the theme of social responsibility throughout the play. delivers priestley’s socialist message
‘We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.’
-christian reference of the trinity
-socialist message
-Here the Inspector is clear that we have a duty to each other in society and cannot act alone and selfishly.
Then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.
Priestley is reminding the audience that if we carry on living selfishly there will be consequences of war
‘But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.’
shows blunt nature, short sentences doesn’t elaborate, short and succinct. each of you talking to audience makes them evaluate their choices
‘there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, // with their lives, their hopes and their fears, their suffering, and their chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives,
-repetition of millions emphasizes that eva smith is only a symbol of the millions of lower class members who are suffering right now.
-powerful didactic message that we all have responsibility for someone and what we do to them
-use of surname “smith” presents lots of people as is very common name
-asyndetic list emphasizes his point to show how connected they all are.
-“intertwined” -> connected or linked closely ->highlights Ps message that everyone should be treated equally
-“members of one body” -> biblical reference “But now they are indeed many members, yet but one body” -> each person needed for whole body/ society to work -> Priestley’s message
-repetition of “we” -> collective effort”
call to agency for audience
Don’t stammer and yammer at me again, man. I’m losing all patience with you people
feels no intimidation from the class boundary - is somewhat external to the class system. Priestley would like society to mirror this when asking for equality of classes
stammer and yammer suggests they are almost caveman-like and don’t know how to articulate themselves which would be disrespectful
inspector respresents
- He is Priestley’s voice – he represents Priestley’s strong moral views.
- His job is to make the characters change their attitudes, face up to what they have done and start taking responsibility for each other – see his final message in the play.
