Inspector

• Act 3 - quote 1

  • " We don't live alone. We are members of one body . We are responsible for each other"

  Captures the central massage of the play : the need for collective responsibility and social interconnectedness
• Act 3 - quote 2

  • "Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it."

  unflinching assertion of the family's collective guilt in Eva's demise, forcing them to confront their actions
• Act 3 - quote 3

  • " And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish"

  Fire and blood represents hell.

  This serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of ignoring social responsibility, often interpreted as a reference to the World Wars
• Act 2 - quote 1

  • "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges"
  • direct rebuke to Mr Birling's capitalist and individualistic views
  • Inspector asserts that those in power must care for the welfare of others, highlighting Priestley's critique of the selfishness of the upper classes
• Act 2 - quote 2

  • " We often do the young ones. They're more impressionable"

  Suggests younger individuals are more open to change and more likely to take responsibility for their actions because they are still forming their values and beliefs
• Act 2 - quote 3

  • "If there's nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt"

  collective responsibility

  challenges their attempts to deflect blame and highlights Priestley's socialist message : that society is interconnected and everyone has a moral duty to care for others; especially the vulnerable
• Act 1 - quote 1

  • "It's my duty to ask questions"

  Establishes the inspector's authority and sense of moral responsibility.
• Act 1 - quote 2

  • "But she died in misery and agony"
  • emphasizes the suffering and tragic end of Eva
  • underscores JB's message about the interconnectedness of society
  • Eva's suffering reflects the consequences of a lack of social responsibility and compassion