Social Responsibility

• " A girl died tonight. A pretty, lively, sort of girl.." Act 2 


  > Priestley uses juxtaposition to emphasise the seriousness and guilt trips the Birlings

  > Use of descriptive language to put an image into your head of an innocent girl dying
• ''We are members of one body" Act 3


  > Priestley alludes to the Book of Genesis as "we are members of one body" is used in Holy Communion.

  > Therefore, through echoing the words of God, Priestley implies that the Inspector is speaking on God's behalf
• "we have to share something..... share our guilt" Act 2


  > Recurring theme of sharing responsibility for others and to look after each other

  > Links to Priestley's ideal of Socialism
• "you're going to spend the rest of your life regretting it"Act 3


  > He is an Inspector of the soul and tries to expose the true colours of the Birlings

  > Another example of guilt tripping so that people can take responsibility
• "Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that." Act 2


  > Inspector speaks very plainly to the family - doesn't soften the blow, wanting them to learn something from this experience.

  > Shows Inspector as an Inspector of the soul, trying to expose them
• " Public men, Mr Birling, have their responsibilities as well as their privileges " Act 2


  > Highlighting that those in power must take responsibility for others (Socialism)

  > In 1912, all public men cared for were it's privileges and profit (Greed)

  > THEME: Responsibility
• “they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.”


  > The words "fire blood and anguish" all connote blood and war, and to the post-war audience giving a sense of dramatic irony (WW1 and WW2)

  > Morality not be based on status but to treat everyone with respect

  > "Lesson" - His entire reasoning of being there, to teach a lesson