The Inspector Flashcards
“If your easy with me, I’m easy with you.”
(Responsibility)
Use of parallelism in this phrase is, perhaps, symbolic for the inspectors message.
Sense of equality and treating others how you wish to be treated.
“We are members of one body.”
(Responsibility)
Priestley alludes to the Book of Genesis as “we are members of one body”. Priestley implies that the inspector is speaking on God’s behalf.
Emphasizes the interconnectedness of society and the shared responsibility individuals have for each other.
“Each of you helped to kill her, remember that . Never forget it.”
(Responsibility)
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.
“Remember that. Never forget it” reinforces the idea that the family must actively contemplate their actions and the consequences, not simply dismiss them as a passing incident.
“He knows” - Sheila
(Omniscience)
Sheila understands the Inspector’s omniscience and thus reveals all to the inspector, while encouraging Gerald to do the same, as “he knows”.
“Need not be a big man”
(Physical appearance)
Shows strength of his position and ideology outweigh the need for an imposing physical appearance.
“A plain darkish suit”
(Physical appearance)
Appearance is irrelevant to him. It is moral and and social responsibility which is of greater importance.
“Burnt her inside out, of course”
(Warning of not learning lesson)
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”.
The Inspector’s blunt, straightforward language contrasts with the upper-class characters’ use of euphemisms like “go on the streets” or “horrid business”.
“If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”
He emphasizes that if people don’t learn to take responsibility for each other and the suffering of others, they will face severe consequences.
“fire and blood and anguish” This phrase is a powerful metaphor for the horrors of war, suffering, and societal breakdown.
All words with connotations of war and death.
