The Inspector's Socialist Message

Ever wondered why the Inspector seems so different from everyone else in the play? He's actually Priestley's way of showing us what's wrong with how society treats working-class people like Eva Smith.

The Inspector's famous line "we are members of one body" perfectly sums up his socialist beliefs. He's basically saying we're all connected and responsible for looking after each other's wellbeing. This idea completely goes against the Birling family's selfish, individualistic attitudes where everyone only cares about themselves.

When he tells Gerald "You used her as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person," he's calling out how the wealthy dehumanise working-class people. The Inspector understands that Eva needed "not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness" - showing that socialism values human connection over just profit.

His physical description as having "massiveness, solidity and purposefulness" makes him an imposing figure who can't be ignored. Priestley deliberately makes him powerful and determined to get his message across.

Key Point: The Inspector represents everything the capitalist Birlings aren't - caring, responsible, and focused on collective wellbeing rather than individual profit.