Inspector Calls 2.0 Flashcards
Inspector - morality/responsibility
“Speaks carefully, weightily”
The use of the adjective “weightily” evidences the impact of the Inspector’s moral message. Also, speaking “carefully” directly contrasts Mr Birling, whose speech is diluted with dashes and hesitations.
If you’re easy with me, I’m easy with you”
Priestley’s use of parallelism (same grammatical features of a sentence repeated) in this phrase is, perhaps, symbolic for the Inspector’s message. This sense of equality and treating others how you wish to be treated is inherently socialist.
-“Yes, but you can’t. It’s too late. She’s dead.”
Here, Priestley uses short sentences and a terse triplet of expressions to convey an impactful message and express the need for radical change.
Inspector omniscience
He knows”
Sheila understands the Inspector’s omniscience and thus reveals all to the Inspector, while encouraging Gerald to do the same, as “he knows” anyway.
“I don't need to know any more. Neither do you.” At this point, the Inspector has revealed the culpability of the characters in Eva’s death. As this is not a real Inspector, there is no need to know any more details, other than a sense of guilt and responsibility.
Inspector - physical appearance
“Need not be a big man”
The Inspector “need not be a big man” as the strength of his position and ideology outweigh the need for an imposing physical appearance.
“Impression of massiveness (solidity and purposefulness)”
Priestley leaves the Inspector’s physical appearance as vague and, to some extent, unimportant due to his message of social responsibility being more important than his physical appearance.
“A plain darkish suit”
Priestley presents the Inspector as wearing simple and minimal clothes in “a plain darkish suit”, as appearance is irrelevant to him. It is moral and social responsibility which is of greater importance.
Inspector - warning of not learning lesson
“Burnt her inside out, of course”
Priestley uses shocking imagery in an attempt to persuade the characters to change as he frequently refers to Eva’s death as “burnt her inside out” .
“If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”
Therefore, the threat of “fire blood and anguish” could be the Inspector warning both the characters and the audience of the religious consequences for neglecting their duty of social responsibility. The religious connotation of “fire” is hell and therefore the punishment for not following the message of both Christianity and socialism to ‘love thy neighbour’.
Eric - responsibility
“you killed her – and the child…your own grandchild”
Priestley encourages the audience to sympathise with Eric. Despite the Inspector’s attempts to enlighten the Birling family that they are all jointly responsible, Eric’s accusation of blame upon his mother is tantamount (equivalent) to Mrs Birling’s blame of the “father”.
By merely placing all the blame upon his mother, with “you killed her,’’ Eric attempts to absolve himself from any blame.
“You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried”
Eric continues to undermine himself as he berates his mother “You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried”. Priestley’s use of repetition and hyperbole creates a parody of the sweeping statements we might expect a teenager to use in an argument with their parents.
Eric - gender inequality
“She wasn’t the usual sort”
“She didn’t know what to do”
Priestley reveals Eric’s previous experiences with prostitutes, as Eva “wasn’t the usual sort”. The adjective “usual” implies that visiting prostitutes is the norm for Eric. Eric’s
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observation that “she didn’t know what to do” implies both that he is attracted to Eva’s innocence, and also that he might realise that she is a woman he can exploit because of her ignorance. “I hate these fat old tarts” Eric’s proclaimation of “I hate these fat old tarts” reveals his disgust at his own hypocrisy in frequenting the palace bar, looking for sex. Priestley implies, through Eric, that - for all men - it is a social norm to pay for sex. The upper-class’ use of prostiution symbolic of their exploitation of the female lower-class, who are the prostitutes that are abused by high-class men.
Eric - guilt
“I insisted – it seems”
On Eric’s visit to Eva’s lodgings: “I insisted – it seems” . Priestley’s use of the verb “insisted” implies that Eric may have physically overwhelmed Eva’s resistance. Priestley’s use of the ambiguous verb phrase “it seems” reveals Eric’s attempt to forget his immoral actions, and distance himself from his guilt.
“in that state when a chap easily turns nasty”
Priestley demonstrates Eric’s subconscious attempts to distance himself from his actions by switching from first person to third person as he refers to himself as “a chap” rather than ‘I’. Eric’s trivialisation of such violence of a possible rape, through the colliquial use of “a chap” is an attempt by Eric to soften the harshness of his actions.
“I threatened to make a row”
Eric’s violent language, “I threatened”, is softened through the euphemistic use of “a row” . Priestley demonstrates Eric’s attempts to convince himself that his actions were to a lesser extent of immorality than they actually were.
Eric - socialism vs capitalism
“[not too rudely] Well, don’t do any. We’ll drink to their health and have done with it.”
Eric is eager to be done with talk of their engagement as he realises the ridiculousness of the toasts for a marriage which is merely a transaction.
Eric disapproves, however, he is powerless to do anything. This is aptly demonstrated by Priestley through the stage directions as Eric interrupts “[not too rudely]” as he doesn’t have the power to challenge his father directly yet is not quite at ease with the capitalist purpose of his sister’s marriage.
“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?”
“you said yourself she was a good worker”
Eric questions “why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?” as he believes that the capitalist system ought to be fair to both employers and employees. He puts forward a moral form of capitalism, pointing out to Birling, “you said yourself she was a good worker” , implying that she should be financially rewarded for this.
Eva - class
“There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”
The name ‘Smith’ has its roots in the working class, originating from ‘blacksmith’, and arguably Priestley does this to demonstrate that her class is a fundamental part of her identity and origins, something that she can’t escape.
Priestley uses the common name ‘John Smith’ to symbolise the universality of the suffering of the working classes, largely forgotten and neglected by the wealthy.
“died in misery and agony – hating life”
After Sheila’s confession, the Inspector reminds her that Eva “died in misery and agony – hating life” . The graphic adjectives “misery and agony” encourage the audience to empathise with Eva, visualising the pain and suffering she endured at the hands of the Birlings. Priestley intensifies Sheila’s guilt as her enjoyment of life is at the expense of others.
Eva - exploitation
Renton”
Arguably, the name “Renton” is dervived from the verb “to rent”, a euphemism for prostitution in the early 20th Century. Priestley uses this change in name to mark Eva being forced to change her approach to surviving in a hostile society.
She can no longer survive by working hard and therefore she must go against her own moral principles to survive, engaging in prostitution.
Eva - hypocrisy
a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money” Mrs Birling claims that “a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money”, as she assumes that due to her lower-class origin, she is inherently greedy. Despite this, Eva is presented as a moral force, who never takes stolen money and won't marry Eric just for his wealth. This is in contrast to Eric, who steals money, and the Birlings, who arrange Sheila’s marriage for financial gain; in the name of “lower costs and higher prices”.
Mrs b- responsibility
a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money” Mrs Birling claims that “a girl of that sort would (not) ever refuse money”, as she assumes that due to her lower-class origin, she is inherently greedy. Despite this, Eva is presented as a moral force, who never takes stolen money and won't marry Eric just for his wealth. This is in contrast to Eric, who steals money, and the Birlings, who arrange Sheila’s marriage for financial gain; in the name of “lower costs and higher prices”.
Mr b - insecurity
“You ought to like this port, Gerald It’s exactly the same port your father gets”
The verb “ought” reveals Mr Birling’s insecurities regarding social status; he is hesitant to command Gerald (who is of a higher class) like he would command Eric.
“There’s a fair chance that I may find myself into the next honours list.”
Mr Birling’s insecurity is revealed by his feeling of inadequacy due to his lower social status, compared to the Crofts. Therefore, he feels the need to compensate with boasts of a potential knighthood.
Mrs b - responsibility
She had only herself to blame”
Mrs Birling takes the view that “suicide” is a concious choice and therefore Eva can only blame herself for taking her own life.
“I did nothing I’m ashamed of”
Priestley demonstrates the true extent of Mrs Birling’s “cold” nature as despite Eva’s death, Mrs Birling does not regret her denial of aid to Eva.
“I did my duty”
Priestley’s use of the noun “duty” is used to expose Mrs Birling’s perception of duty as limited to a capitalist social duty of keeping the rich people rich and the poor people poor. In doing so, she neglects her moral duty to provide assistance to those most in need.
Mrs b - pride
The rude way he spoke … it was quite extraordinary!”
Priestley’s use of the adjective “rude” reveals Mrs Birling’s perception of the Inspector as disrespectful. In doing so, she attempts to undermine his authority, devalidating his argument, meaning that they don’t have to take responsibility for their actions.
“What business is it of yours?”
Priestley’s use of this rhetorical question evidences the arrogance of Mrs Birling and her sense of superiority. This is clear as the Inspector’s job is to “ask questions” and therefore anything related to the death of Eva Smith is the Inspector’s “business” .
