Eric quotes: theme-responsibility

Question 1

'’you killed her- and the child… your own grandchild’’

Answer 1

-second person pronoun ‘you’ denotes blame and condemnation alluding to a higher power from whom we’ll receive judgment
-beginning to adhere to the Inspector’s message of responsibility whilst also resorting to blame demonstrating ethical dilemma and internal conflict; duality of his character asserts Eric as being capable of both good and evil
-This highlights how ability to differentiate right from wrong isn’t a defining quality, Priestley instead stresses how we must take action accordingly- this message was an instrumental aspect of ensuring that Labour won the vote as it encouraged Priestley’s audience to use their moral compass as guidance to what he considered the right decision

Question 2

’‘(involuntarily) My God!’’

Answer 2

-emotionally volatile response to the news of Eva’s suicide suggests that goodness is innate and intuitive therefore, infiltrating the minds of his audience with hope; we all have the capacity for change
- empathy is suppressed as evident through adverb ‘involuntarily’ suggesting he would respond alternatively if he had the choice
-here, Priestley further criticises conservatism as the patriarchal values that dictate how men should behave are rendering life cruel and indifferent

Question 3

'’I hate these fat, old tarts around the town’’

Answer 3

-bigoted description of woman- profanity ‘tarts’ conveys his hypocritical stance on prostitution as whilst openly shaming women for this lifestyle, he demonstrably exploits their vulnerability for his own pleasure
-women were scapegoats, embodiments of the ‘ugly’ flaws men wanted to disguise; women were treated as conduits for male expression, Mr Birling fired Eva after he experienced a prick to his inflated ego etc