THE INSPECTOR KEY QUOTES ANALYSIS Flashcards
“You were annoyed at yourself and you passed the annoyance onto her”
The Inspector
CLUES: Repetition of “you”
*He is interrogating Sheila about when she got Eva Smith fired from Milwards.
*This quote shows the inspector is presenting the day of reckoning to the Birling family and reminding them of this.
*The repetition of the pronoun “You” illustrates the Inspector is being accusatory towards Sheila, however, this is normal since he is a socialist who is supposed to expose the selfishness in Edwardian society.
“There are millions of… Eva Smith’s… all intertwined with our lives”
The Inspector
CLUES: Hyperbole “millions”
Plural “Eva Smith’s”
*At the end of the play when The Inspector is about to leave and is giving his final messages.
*Hyperbole “millions” depicts how there are too many people just like Eva Smith who are shunned by people in the upper classes and in particular, people like Mr Birling.
*Plural “Eva Smith’s” is a metaphor for all the poor people in society suffering with the same problems as Eva Smith, being exploited by people like Mr Birling.
*Priestley does this to show how all people, even from lower classes, are connected with everyone, and he shows that they should be appreciated by the upper class for their efforts since they are the reason for their success.
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
The Inspector
CLUES: Adjective “Public”
Abstract nouns “responsibilities” and “privileges”
*The adjective “Public” shows how the Inspector identifies that Mr Birling is proud, but also he shows that he owes a debt to society. A debt of being kind and honest to everyone. A debt to pay workers equally and to treat people fairly.
*The abstract nouns “responsibilities” and “privileges” show how even though Mr Birling is a privileged man with wealth, he also has the responsibility to give back to society.
“You’re offering money at the wrong time Mr Birling”
The Inspector
CLUES: Adjective “wrong”
Sarcasm and Irony
*This happens when Mr Birling discreetly tries to offer the Inspector to get rid of all mishaps.
*The Inspector is being sarcastic and ironic here since he implying that this money which Mr Birling is trying to bribe him with, should’ve been used on the workers whom he exploited and underpaid, maybe then his reputation wouldn’t be at risk.
*The adjective “wrong” illustrates his sarcasm since he is referring to Eva Smith and the other underpaid workers.
*Priestley does this to point out the selfishness which lurks beneath every upper-class capitalist. Greed and pride. He points out how these men will do anything to keep their reputation and their social status afloat, even if it is at the cost of others.
