Act 3

• What state does Eric refer to when he describes his encounter with Eva Smith?

  “That state when a chap easily turns nasty”
• What does Eric's use of the demonstrative determiner “that” imply?

  It suggests expected familiarity with the state
• How does the noun phrase “a chap” affect Eric's portrayal of himself?

  It generalizes and distances him from his actions
• What connotations does the term “chap” carry in Eric's context?

  It suggests social class and informality
• What are the relevant characters and themes in Eric's encounter with Eva Smith?

  • Characters: Eric, Eva Smith
  • Themes:
  • Gender
  • Wealth and power
  • Blame and responsibility
  • Guilt and shame
  • Social class
• What does Eric say when he learns about his mother's role in Eva's death?

  “Then - you killed her”
• How does Eric react to the news of his mother's involvement in Eva's death?

  He is shocked and angry
• What does the stage direction “nearly at breaking point” indicate about Eric's emotional state?

  It shows his extreme distress and anger
• What does the use of the dash in Eric's statement convey?

  It conveys strong emotion
• What is the significance of the verb “killed” in Eric's accusation?

  It implies direct responsibility for Eva's death
• How does Eric view his mother's actions regarding Eva's death?

  He sees her as a murderer
• Why is Eric's accusation considered a strong one?

  It directly blames his mother for murder
• What is the context of this confrontation in the play?

  It occurs at the climax before the Inspector's speech
• How does the Inspector describe Eric's treatment of Eva Smith?

  As if she was an animal, a thing
• What does the simile about Eric's treatment of Eva convey?

  Condemnation of Eric's inhumane behavior
• Why does Priestley use the term "thing" in describing Eva's treatment?

  To emphasize her dehumanization and worthlessness
• What are the implications of the imagery used in the Inspector's remarks?

  • Suggests inhumane treatment of women
  • Reflects societal views on class and gender
  • Highlights the severity of Eric's behavior
• Who are the symbolic figures mentioned in the text?

  Eva Smith and John Smith
• What does the Inspector claim about the lives of Eva and John Smith?

  They are intertwined with our lives
• What does the phrase "We don’t live alone" imply about society?

  We are interconnected and responsible for each other
• What is the significance of the repetition in "millions and millions and millions"?

  • Emphasizes the scale of social issues
  • Highlights the need for socialism
• What literary device is used with the plural pronouns "us" and "we"?

  It reflects a collectivist mindset
• What does the antithesis in "hopes and fears" signify?

  It represents the duality of human experience
• What is conveyed by the anaphora of "we" in the Inspector's speech?

  It shows certainty in the Inspector's views
• What metaphor is used to describe society in the Inspector's speech?

  The body as a whole made of many parts
• What are the key themes and characters relevant to the Inspector's message?

  • Themes: Social responsibility, collectivism
  • Characters: Inspector, Eva Smith, John Smith
• What phrase does the Inspector use to describe the consequences of not learning from Eva Smith's death?

  “fire and blood and anguish”
• What does the Inspector imply will happen if the Birlings do not learn the right lessons?

  They will be taught lessons through suffering
• What are the three emotive nouns in the phrase “fire and blood and anguish” and their meanings?

  • Fire: Damage to property, evokes hell
  • Blood: Physical harm, including death
  • Anguish: Psychological harm, widens influence
• How does the use of polysyndeton in the phrase “fire and blood and anguish” affect its impact?

  It emphasizes each noun for greater effect
• How can the phrase “fire and blood and anguish” be linked to historical events?

  It relates to the world wars and Russian Revolution
• What contextual links can be made to Christianity regarding the phrase “fire and blood and anguish”?

  It reflects themes of suffering and moral lessons
• Who repeats the phrase “fire and blood and anguish” at the end of Act 3?

  Sheila
• Which characters and themes are relevant to the phrase “fire and blood and anguish”?

  • Relevant characters: The Inspector, Birlings
  • Themes: Blame, responsibility, guilt, shame, wealth, power, social class, supernatural