Morality and Responsibility/Inspector Flashcards
“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.
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
The Inspector reminds Mr Birling that he cannot do as he pleases without considering the potential consequences his actions may have.
“Their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness all intertwined with our lives”
Priestley continues to spread the message of socialism and the need for greater social responsibility as everybody’s lives are “intertwined“.
“We are members of one body”
Priestley alludes to the Book of Genesis as “we are members of one body” is used in Holy Communion. Therefore, through echoing the words of God, Priestley implies that the Inspector is speaking on God’s behalf.
“Each of you helped to kill her, remember that. Never forget it.”
Despite none of the characters directly ending Eva’s life, they have all had a part to play in her death and are therefore responsible for driving her to suicide.
“You used the power you had… to punish the girl.”
The Inspector plainly states how Sheila abused her power, out of “jealousy” in order to punish Eva Smith for being more beautiful than her.
