Responsibility and Consequences
Priestley uses Inspector Goole to highlight the reluctance of the upper classes to take responsibility for their actions. This is particularly evident in the characters of Arthur and Sybil Birling, who represent the older generation's resistance to change.
Quote: The Inspector states, "We have to share our guilt".
This statement is significant for several reasons:
- It uses the inclusive pronoun "we", promoting a sense of unity
- It subverts the audience's expectations of a divided society
- It reflects Priestley's socialist ideologies
Highlight: Priestley's use of the imperative "have to" emphasizes the urgency of taking responsibility for one's actions.
The Inspector also serves as a prophet of doom, warning of the consequences if society fails to change.
Quote: The Inspector warns that people will be "taught" in "fire and blood and anguish".
This ominous statement:
- Emphasizes the severity of the situation
- Adds a sense of urgency to the need for social change
- May be interpreted as a reference to the world wars, which the audience would have recently experienced
Definition: Dramatic irony - a literary device where the audience knows something that the characters do not
Priestley's use of dramatic irony throughout the play, particularly in Mr. Birling's speeches, further reinforces the Inspector's warnings and the need for social change.
