Key Themes
1. Social Responsibility: The idea that we must care for others, not just ourselves
2. Class Inequality: The unfair gap between the wealthy upper class (the Birlings) and the
working class (Eva Smith)
3. Generational Divide: The older generation (Arthur and Sybil) refuses to change, while
the younger generation (Sheila and Eric) learns and takes responsibility
4. Gender Parity: How women were treated as cheap labor or treated poorly based on their
looks and social standing
5. Capitalism vs. Socialism: Arthur Birling represents greedy capitalism ("community and all
that nonsense"), while the Inspector represents fair socialism
6. Guilt and Accountability: Everyone must face the consequences of their actions
Quote Analysis
"We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." —
Inspector Goole
● "We" (Inclusive Pronoun): Removes class divisions and emphasizes equality, suggesting
that everyone shares moral responsibility.
● "Members of one body" (Metaphor & Religious Imagery): Refers to the Christian idea of
the body of Christ. It shows that we are connected, dependent on each other, and that
hurting someone else hurts society as a whole.
● Short, Clear Sentences: The Inspector speaks with total authority, acting as Priestley's
moral voice to make the message undeniable.
○ Historical Context: Written in 1945 / Set in 1912: Written just after World War II, a
time when people wanted a fairer society, better worker rights, and fewer class
divisions.
○ Priestley's Intentions: He used the play to promote socialist views and warn
society against repeating the selfish mistakes of the past.
"There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us" ~
Inspector
● Eva" links to "Eve" – first woman of the Bible. Representative of all women.
"Smith" is a common surname – representing ordinary, working-class people.
Pluralising her name removes individuality – reflection of how society treats
them.
● "Millions..." – repetition – emphasizes the scale of their suffering, ignoring social
responsibility affects countless people.
○ Context: Reflects the industrial exploitation of workers in pre-war Britain
"If men are not taught that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and
anguish" ~ Inspector
, ● "lesson" refers to the idea of a just society + equality.
● "Fire and blood and anguish" – violent imagery. Semantic field makes the
warning sound frightening and unavoidable.
● Triplet builds intensity. Repetition of "and" slows the rhythm, heavy + dramatic.
● "Men": shows they were in power - patriarchal society domination. Those who
control society must change their attitudes.
○ Context: Since the play was written immediately after WW2, the audience
would immediately connect the violent imagery to WW1 + WW2. Reminder
that selfishness + greed can lead to conflict.
○ Additional Notes: Link to hell – religious imagery: Priestley suggests that
social injustice leads to violent upheaval.
"A man has to make his own way — has to look after himself" — Arthur Birling
● A man" : Focus on patriarchal power; belief that men look after their own
interests.
● "has to" repetition -> Stubborn certainty. Forceful, suggesting he believes in this
unquestionable truth.
● "Make his own way" -> Success is earned alone, failure is their own flaw + no
need for social support. Contrasts the Inspector: "We are all members of one
body.”
○ Context: In 1945, after 2 World Wars + during the rise of the Welfare
State, many people believed in helping the vulnerable
○ Exposing Birling's certainty and confidence — and showing he is wrong
about the Titanic and war — shows Priestley's undermining of capitalist
certainty
"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" — Arthur Birling
● “Unsinkable" repetition emphasizes his certainty. Shows arrogance, blind
confidence.
● Titanic symbolises the overconfidence of the upper class in technology +
progress. Belief that wealth + power makes you strong.
● Dramatic irony — Titanic sank in 1912 -> audience knows but he doesn't
○ Context: Priestley deliberately gives Birling incorrect predictions to: 1.
Undermine Capitalist confidence 2. Show the dangers of arrogance 3.
Criticise the ruling class
"Girls of that class–”
● "That class" -> Creates distance, separates him from the working class.
Suggests superiority, lack of empathy + social division.
1. Social Responsibility: The idea that we must care for others, not just ourselves
2. Class Inequality: The unfair gap between the wealthy upper class (the Birlings) and the
working class (Eva Smith)
3. Generational Divide: The older generation (Arthur and Sybil) refuses to change, while
the younger generation (Sheila and Eric) learns and takes responsibility
4. Gender Parity: How women were treated as cheap labor or treated poorly based on their
looks and social standing
5. Capitalism vs. Socialism: Arthur Birling represents greedy capitalism ("community and all
that nonsense"), while the Inspector represents fair socialism
6. Guilt and Accountability: Everyone must face the consequences of their actions
Quote Analysis
"We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other." —
Inspector Goole
● "We" (Inclusive Pronoun): Removes class divisions and emphasizes equality, suggesting
that everyone shares moral responsibility.
● "Members of one body" (Metaphor & Religious Imagery): Refers to the Christian idea of
the body of Christ. It shows that we are connected, dependent on each other, and that
hurting someone else hurts society as a whole.
● Short, Clear Sentences: The Inspector speaks with total authority, acting as Priestley's
moral voice to make the message undeniable.
○ Historical Context: Written in 1945 / Set in 1912: Written just after World War II, a
time when people wanted a fairer society, better worker rights, and fewer class
divisions.
○ Priestley's Intentions: He used the play to promote socialist views and warn
society against repeating the selfish mistakes of the past.
"There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us" ~
Inspector
● Eva" links to "Eve" – first woman of the Bible. Representative of all women.
"Smith" is a common surname – representing ordinary, working-class people.
Pluralising her name removes individuality – reflection of how society treats
them.
● "Millions..." – repetition – emphasizes the scale of their suffering, ignoring social
responsibility affects countless people.
○ Context: Reflects the industrial exploitation of workers in pre-war Britain
"If men are not taught that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and
anguish" ~ Inspector
, ● "lesson" refers to the idea of a just society + equality.
● "Fire and blood and anguish" – violent imagery. Semantic field makes the
warning sound frightening and unavoidable.
● Triplet builds intensity. Repetition of "and" slows the rhythm, heavy + dramatic.
● "Men": shows they were in power - patriarchal society domination. Those who
control society must change their attitudes.
○ Context: Since the play was written immediately after WW2, the audience
would immediately connect the violent imagery to WW1 + WW2. Reminder
that selfishness + greed can lead to conflict.
○ Additional Notes: Link to hell – religious imagery: Priestley suggests that
social injustice leads to violent upheaval.
"A man has to make his own way — has to look after himself" — Arthur Birling
● A man" : Focus on patriarchal power; belief that men look after their own
interests.
● "has to" repetition -> Stubborn certainty. Forceful, suggesting he believes in this
unquestionable truth.
● "Make his own way" -> Success is earned alone, failure is their own flaw + no
need for social support. Contrasts the Inspector: "We are all members of one
body.”
○ Context: In 1945, after 2 World Wars + during the rise of the Welfare
State, many people believed in helping the vulnerable
○ Exposing Birling's certainty and confidence — and showing he is wrong
about the Titanic and war — shows Priestley's undermining of capitalist
certainty
"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" — Arthur Birling
● “Unsinkable" repetition emphasizes his certainty. Shows arrogance, blind
confidence.
● Titanic symbolises the overconfidence of the upper class in technology +
progress. Belief that wealth + power makes you strong.
● Dramatic irony — Titanic sank in 1912 -> audience knows but he doesn't
○ Context: Priestley deliberately gives Birling incorrect predictions to: 1.
Undermine Capitalist confidence 2. Show the dangers of arrogance 3.
Criticise the ruling class
"Girls of that class–”
● "That class" -> Creates distance, separates him from the working class.
Suggests superiority, lack of empathy + social division.
