"I remember what he said... Fire and Blood and anguish"

• Analysis 


  Priestley emphasizes Sheila’s emotions to provoke a shared sense of empathy in the audience. The recurring motifs of fire, blood, and anguish underscore that the play is not only a critique of capitalism and class, but also a powerful anti-war statement. Priestley suggests that supporting the class system inevitably fuels support for war.
• Theme- socialism and war 


  Priestley argues that capitalism fuels war, as the upper classes exploit the working classes, using them as expendable resources both in factories and on the battlefield. War profits businesses, like the Burlings and Crofts, who benefit from producing war supplies, while women are paid less to fill men's jobs. Priestley suggests that to prevent war, society must reject capitalism and adopt a socialist view that values equality.
• Alternative interpretation

  Sheila's reference to "fire and blood and anguish" conveys deep guilt for her actions, yet it also hints at her struggle to fully absorb the inspector’s message. While she acknowledges the consequences of her behavior, her emotional outburst suggests she has not yet fully understood the depth of the systemic issues. This moment highlights her internal conflict, showing that she still needs time to embrace the need for social change. It indicates that her transformation is still incomplete.
• Priestley's intention 


  Priestley uses the play’s ending to symbolize the link between the World Wars and capitalist exploitation. The inspector’s speech suggests that the ruling class’s actions caused the First World War, and the younger generation’s failure to learn from this leads to the Second. The second phone call reveals that Sheila, Eric, and Gerald haven’t fully grasped the lesson, highlighting how society’s failure to change perpetuates conflict.