God - Act 3 Key Quotations Flashcards
Inspector’s final mark of authority and power over the Birlings:
“(taking charge, masterfully)”
Inspector’s message and lesson to the Birling’s about their involvement with Eva Smith, used by Priestley as a microcosm to reflect the dire need for social responsibility (links to “chain of events”):
“But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”
Inspector highlights Mrs Birling’s wrongdoing, and uses this to criticise the exploitation of the lower classes by aristocrats, as well as to raise awareness about their powerlessness:
“refused her [Eva Smith] even the pitiable little bit of organized charity you had in your power to grant her.”
Inspector’s description of the way Eric treated Eva; once again highlights exploitation and class divide, as well as corruption of the upper classes, enabling Priestley to expose their flaws and obsession over public image rather than morality and responsibility of actions:
Eric treated Eva “as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person”
Inspector’s blunt comment about Eva Smith’s disappearance; he blatantly exposes the fact that it is too late to make any changes, highlighting the importance of taking social responsibility for all actions:
“Well, Eva Smith’s gone.”
Inspector’s instructive tone, perhaps Priestley uses him to directly speak to the audience and encourage them to change for the better to develop society into a socialist state:
“But just remember this.”
Main points from God’s wonderful EXCELLENT BEAUTIFUL INSPIRATIONAL AMAZING DELICIOUS speech:
- “millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us”
- “intertwined with our lives”
- “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.
- “If men will not learn that lesson [of socialism], then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” (Alludes to the world wars; perhaps Priestley also warns society that if it does not change, another world war could occur, causing further devastation.)
Who is the Inspector?
I think that the Inspector is a supernatural, perhaps God-like figure, especially shown through his mastery of manipulation and the fact that he seems omniscient; his name, “Goole”, also has connotations of the supernatural. He is a masterpiece of a character created by none other than Priestley, and is arguably a manifestation of himself.
