inspector

• cutting through, massively


  Priestley often has the inspector addressed using the semantic field of size such as the powerful adverb "massively" which achieves in establishing the importance of him in the play and ultimately his power, giving him credibility as the omnipotent and omniscient inspector.
• a chain of events


  extended metaphor used to demonstrate the series of events which led to Eva Smith's suicide, where the chains may be symbolic of how everyone is linked together in society.
• It's better to ask for the earth than to take it

  Juxtaposition of verbs "ask" and "take" exaggerate how the upper class can take advantage of the poor, whereas the poor are left to ask and hope.
• [the young ones] are the most impressionable

  Use of the superlative adjective "most" does well to establish how there is still hope for the future, acknowledging the choice for young people to change.
• "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder"


  use of lighting changes the mood from happy to serious, possibly foreshadowing the events that are to come after the arrival of the inspector.
• one line of inquiry at a time

  allows the inspector to deal with each character individually and present their sins through their "chain" in the events.
• taught in blood, fire and anguish (Act 3 final speech)


  Preistley uses semantic field of pain through nouns "blood," "fire" and "anguish" highlight the fact that the Birlings will be punished, allowing justice for Eva Smith's suicide and addressing disregard for capitalism.
• just remember this... there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths (Act 3 final speech)


  hyperbolic statement of the "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths" help Priestley to directly address the audience and make them look at their own conscience. Also the phrase "just remember this" has connotations of a lesson, addressing the inspector's role as the questor.
• Remember that. Never Forget.

  Uses many imperative verbs when addressing the family which creates a sense of dominance on stage, displaying his overwhelming power. Also, stylistically, Priestley makes use of dramatic pauses throughout the play to build up tension towards the climax of the play and to allow the inspector to make Birlings feel uneasy and to control the pace, asserting his general superiority.
• massiveness, solidity and purposefulness


  Use of rule of three through the abstract nouns emphasises the power of the narrator despite his class.
• We have to share something... we'll have to share our guilt

  repetition of the modal verb "have" does well to create a sense of immediacy, perhaps reinforcing the need for change in society or more simply change within the family on a microcosmic scale.
• we are members of one body (Act 3 final speech)


  here, the body can be seen as a metonym, representing society as a whole, emphasising the importance of responsibility. These views contrast heavily Birling's capatilist speech in act 1, interrupted by the "sharp ring of a front doorbell," allowing the inspector, Priestley's questor, to establish Birling as the human embodiment of the sin of greed.