"Sometimes there isn’t as much difference as you think…”

• Analysis


  Priestley’s juxtaposition of “respectable citizens” and “criminals” interrogates the thin veneer of morality that conceals systemic exploitation. The ellipsis adds a pause, forcing the audience to reflect on this troubling equivalence. A Marxist critique exposes how the bourgeoisie’s actions—though legally sanctioned—can perpetuate social harm as damaging as overt criminality. The Inspector’s assertion disrupts the Birlings’ self-righteousness, holding them accountable for their indirect role in Eva’s demise.
• Alternative interpretation 


  This statement could also reflect the moral ambiguity of post-war Britain, where wartime profiteering and exploitation blurred traditional distinctions between right and wrong. Priestley might be challenging his audience to redefine what constitutes respectability in a changing social order.
• Themes 


  • Moral Ambiguity: Blurs the line between legality and morality.
  • Social Critique: Exposes the hypocrisy of the upper classes.
  • Responsibility: Challenges the idea that privilege absolves guilt.
• Writers intention 


  Priestley dismantles the myth of moral superiority among the wealthy, urging the audience to recognize their own complicity in societal harm. This aligns with his socialist ideology, which prioritizes moral responsibility over status.