Inspector Goole

• "sharp"

  "cutting in"
• What do the quotations "sharp" and "cutting in" reval?

  • when- Inspector's arrival
  • abruptness -> sudden destabilisation of Mr Birling's Capitalist speech
  • -> what Priestly is trying to achieve
• "chain of events"
• What does the quotation "chain of events" reval?

  • metaphorically- everything is connected
  • reminding 1945 audience of consequences of capitalism
  • (perhaps) timeless concept- also reminding todays audience not to social regress in fear of consequences / "blood and fire and anguish"
• (stage directions) "massiveness, purposefulness and solidity"
• what does the stage directions "massiveness, purposefulness and solidity" reval?

  • "massiveness" literally: authority , demanding attention
  • -> symbolically, what he embodies- the large socialism ideology
  • "purposefulness" - conveys sense of mission and focus
  • -> confronting the Birlings of their uncomfortable truths and to face responsibility.
  • Priestley's message of accepting social responsibility, Inspectors purpose showing that actions have consequences not matter what class, we should all take responsibility.
  • solidlity- shows (literally) firm and (metaphorically) in socialism
• "I don't play golf"
• what does "I don't play golf" reval?

  • litreally- he doesn't play golf
  • metaphorically- he rejects the bourgeoise/ elitism
  • -> symbolically- rejecting the class divide, promoting socialism
• "members of one body"
• what does "members of one body" reval?

  • everything we do in isolation will have an effect, showing the interconnections within society despite the class divide
  • -> further emphasis the class divides + futileness
  • directly denounces Mr Birling's capitalist view of "a man must look after his family and himself"
  • reflects ethical obligations to care for all, embodying a moral voice
  • -> mouth piece for Priestly: warns dangers of social regression to modern audience, how social regression will lead to +pain, +suffering, +isolation.
• quote "impressionable"
• What does "impressionable" reval?

  • desiring Sheila
  • the Inspector's influence on the younger generation
  • +potency
  • contract between generations -> telling the younger generation that they are the hope for societal progress
  • criticising the older generations +dogmatism
  • (Mr and Mrs Birling capitalist belief) pictured as +harmful social norms
  • -> what Priestley wanted to change
• "animal" and "thing"
• what does "animal" and "thing" reval?

  • identifying dehumanisation of Eva Smith, by proxy, the proletariat and, in particular, women in the proletariat.
• "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths."
• What do "millions and millions and millions of John Smiths and Eva Smiths" represent?

  They represent the ordinary working class men and women.
• What does Eva Smith story presented by the Inspector symbolise in society?

  She symbolizes countless others experiencing suffering due to social inequality.
• How does the Inspector presents Eva Smith's story to show what?

  Her story is not unique or unusual, reflecting problems of capitalism and class divide.
• What does the repetition of "millions" emphasize in the context of social inequality?

  It emphasizes the vast scale of social inequality.
• What idea does the phrase "collective responsibility" convey in the text?

  It enforces the idea that society shares a duty to care for the vulnerable.
• How does the Inspector use the concept of "countless" in relation to the Birlings?

  The Inspector urges the Birlings to recognize their social duty to those who are vulnerable.
• What warning does the Inspector give to the audience?

  He warns that millions more will suffer if society does not progress socially.
• What does the Inspector urge the audience members to consider regarding their behavior?

  He urges them to consider how their behavior affects society as a whole.
• part 2 to previous quote.

  • Represents ordinary working class suffering
  • Symbolizes countless others in similar situations
  • Reflects issues of capitalism and class divide
  • Urges recognition of collective responsibility from the audience
• "fire and blood and anguish"
• what does "fire and blood and anguish" reval?

  • "fire"- +violence +pain +hell
  • > the punishment the birlings will suffer if they do not socially progress, and by proxy, 1945 audience.
  • "blood"- foreshadowing war (supernatural element)
  • "anguish" mental struggling
  • overall, will offer through punishment
  • -> final warning: sieves as reminder that failure to act with social responsibility/socialist aspects will led to personal, social and global disasters.