Extra

• Inspector's use of biblical and Christian imagery

  Emphasizing unity and responsibility for each other
• Inspector's portrayal of Eva's death

  Using gruesome imagery to shock and manipulate emotions
• Linking war to capitalism

  Warning against the sacrifice of human life for profit
• The play is an anti-war play
• Inspector's message about asking for the Earth


  Highlighting the rapacious nature of capitalist society
• Eric's inability to change the future


  Likely death in the first world war
• Gerald exploited Eva by installing her as his mistress and then booting her out when his friend returned
• The play is going to prove that the ruling classes are criminal not just in a literal sense but also in a moral sense
• Burling sacked Eva without a valid reason
• Priestley explores the role of women through Sheila and Mrs. Burling in mistreating Eva
• Mrs. Burling refused to give charity to Eva despite having the power to do so
• Eva turns to prostitution due to lack of options, contributing significantly to her decision to end her life
• Eva symbolizes what women used to be, but the audience, English women, can change that future forever
• Eric has stolen at least 50 pounds from his father's business
• Gerald tries to defend himself by saying that they are responsible citizens and not criminals


  The inspector replies sometimes there isn't as much difference as you think
• Priestley deliberately chooses a female victim, Eva, to represent the working classes in a feminist context
• Sheila got Eva sacked out of jealousy
• Eric forced himself on Eva, got her pregnant, and did not provide enough money for her
• Priestley's message to the predominantly female audience in 1945 is that women can change the future as they now have the vote and have experienced equality
• The inspector's brutality is necessary to cut through class prejudice


  He has to be really brutal and blunt in order to make his point
• The play emphasizes the struggles of young women counting their pennies, highlighting their low pay and desperation to survive
• Sheila: 'You can't. It's too late'
• Inspector's purpose


  Correct the view of just looking after oneself, which leads to exploitation and misery
• Christian message of the play

  Choosing good in the face of evil is the final choice the inspector leaves the characters with
• Inspector's warning


  He emphasizes "Remember" three times
• Reasons for not learning the lesson

  Patriarchy and the younger generation's influence
• Supernatural element of the inspector

  Inspector's presence is summoned by Burling's words about looking after oneself and family
• Sheila and Mr Burling both want to atone for what they've done

  They want to put things right
• Inspector wants the burlings to accept blame


  He asks "Who is to blame?"
• Inspector's warning


  Each character helped to kill Eva Smith
• Impact of not learning the lesson

  First World War and later the Second World War occurred due to society not learning the lesson
• Eric is symbolic of the whole younger generation and they carry on with their parents' wishes even if they don't share their views
• Women were exploited in the job market after the first World War


  Employers paid them less despite women being able to do jobs just as well as men
• The inspector's warning about Eva


  She will make you pay a heavier price still, referencing the two World Wars and marking the play as anti-war and feminist
• When Eric sobers up


  He'll probably still side with his father and Gerald
• After the first World War, the government wanted women to give up their jobs for returning men


  Women were not willing to sacrifice their independence and power
• Younger generation of men who might have grown up to improve Society were killed in the first World War
• After the first World War, women had jobs for the first time

  They gained independence and power, leading to a desire to maintain it
• Berlin hands on his business

  He is going to hand it on to Eric if Eric survives
• Priestley's socialist message

  Women need to keep their jobs and vote for a fairer, socialist society