On page 56 of J.B Priestlys Play An Inspector Calls, the Inspector makes his final speech which i am going to analyse.

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Nancy Redman 10KMW An Inspector calls GCSE English Literature Coursework

        On page 56 of J.B  Priestlys Play An Inspector Calls, the Inspector makes his final speech in which he says:

‘But just remember this. One Eva Smith is gone – but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for one another. And I tell you the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire blood and anguish. Good night.’

I am going to try to understand an explain the effect it is supposed to have on: 1) the other characters,  and 2) the audience. I will study techniques the inspector uses in his final speech. And explore the meaning of ‘Fire Blood and Anguish.’ I will refer to the social context and the themes in the play. I will also discuss the inspector and analyse who or what he is meant to represent.

There are three main themes in the play: Social versus individual responsibility, Capital verses labour, and Guilt verses denial.

Throughout the play, Mr and Mrs Birling show the belief in individual responsibility (looking after yourself), Denial, and Capital views. Some of these are initiated in the first few pages, this is ignorance to the idea of society and social responsibility. Birling – ‘But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as is we’re all mixed up together like bee’s in a hive – community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters – and I’ve learnt in the good hard school of experience that a man has to make his own way and to look after his own.’ (10). This is where his self-centred philosophy is first made apparent but continues to be shown throughout the inspector’s visit.

Mrs Birling also shares these views and appears unable to show any remorse for the death of Eva Smith when she is first informed of it, she says ‘I’m very sorry but I think she had only herself to blame.’ (43) She basically says exactly what Mr Birling says but is slightly less crude and outspoken about it. This is typical of the time around 1912, where the husband and man of the house would set the views and the wife would agree with them.

On the other hand, Sheila and Eric have the opposing opinions in the themes: social responsibilty, labour and guilt. They show great understanding of the points made in the play. Sheila immediately shows remorse and empathy for Eva and doesn’t hold back when making this known. She contradicts her father and says ‘Well I think it was a mean thing to do.’ (19) This, at the time of the play, would be something greatly frowned upon and shows the extent of Sheila’s views. She takes full responsibility of what she did. She doesn’t fabricate the truth and just answers simply. She is able to recognise the mistakes of herself and others and does not try to hide them or justify them. She also says on page (30) You mustn’t try to build up a wall between us and the inspector.’ This shows how she understands the need to recognise the link between them, Eva and the inspector. This is an example of her belief in social responsibility and labour views.

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Eric also is able to recognise his mistakes and also doesn’t try to hide things from the inspector. He seems to play the same role as Mrs Birling while his views are the exact opposite. He has his opinions that are opposite to Mrs Birling however he is less outspoken about them and lets Sheila do most of the talking. Whenever Sheila makes a point he agrees with it, however makes little important points himself. When Sheila says how it makes little difference weather Goole was a real inspector or not Eric backs her up and says ‘No Sheila’s Right. ...

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