inspector - key quotes

Question 1

‘A chain of events’ what does the quote show

Answer 1

Consequences
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.

Question 2

‘And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?’ what does the quote show

Answer 2

Hypocrisy
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.

Question 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’. what does this quote show

Answer 3

Consequences of selfish attitudes
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
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 erald. In the next part of this act, they completely ignore this warning and begin to act selfishly once more.