Inspector Goole's Impactful Quotes and Analysis

This page delves into some of Inspector Goole's key quotes from An Inspector Calls, providing insightful analysis of their significance within the play's themes and character development. The Inspector's words serve as a powerful critique of the Birling family's actions and broader social inequalities.

One of the most striking quotes comes when the Inspector describes Eva Smith's death: "...and died, after several hours of agony..." This use of emotive language, particularly the noun "agony," creates profound sympathy for Eva and underscores the injustice of her fate. The word choice is deliberate, as Priestley could have used milder terms like "hurt" or "distress," but opts for the more impactful "agony" to emphasize the tragic circumstances of Eva's demise.

Highlight: The description of Eva's death in "agony" serves to shock the audience and highlight the severity of the Birlings' collective actions.

The quote also relates to the broader theme of class exploitation, with the upper classes taking advantage of the lower classes for their own gain. This connects to Mr. Birling's initial mistreatment of Eva at his factory, where he denied her request for better pay and working conditions.

Example: Mr. Birling's firing of Eva Smith for asking for better wages exemplifies the exploitation theme central to the play.

Another significant quote from the Inspector is: "it's better to ask for the Earth than to take it." This statement critiques the privileged Birlings' tendency to take what they want without consideration for others. The verb "take" carries connotations of selfishness and greed, often associated with the actions of the wealthy towards the less fortunate.

Vocabulary: The phrase "ask for the Earth" is an idiom meaning to make unreasonable demands or to ask for too much.

This quote can also be linked to Eric's actions in taking money from his father to help Eva after getting her pregnant, rather than asking for assistance directly. The Inspector's words serve as a moral lesson, suggesting that it is more ethical to make bold requests than to resort to theft or exploitation.

Quote: "it's better to ask for the Earth than to take it" - This quote encapsulates the Inspector's critique of the Birlings' entitled behavior and advocates for a more honest and direct approach to addressing needs and desires.

Through these impactful quotes, Inspector Goole's character analysis reveals his role as a moral arbiter and social critic within the play. His words challenge the Birlings' complacency and force them to confront their responsibility for Eva Smith's tragic fate.