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What attitudes and effect does The Inspector have towards Mr Birling?
He is intolerant to Mr Birlings pretentious and supercilious ways .
He breaks Mr Birlings egotistical dramatic monologue , where he expressed the titanic as “ unsinkable” , the inspector interrupts [Cutting through, massively]
His few words of speech cause Mr Birlings speech to shorten suggesting the Inspector has shifted the power balance . This elucidates that social status is weak in the face of morality .
“It’s better to ask for the earth than take it”
The syntax “ask” prior to “take” is used by the Inspector to highlight the order of importance required for society to be collectively responsible
The idea of “take” connotes to steal, an idea scorned in the bible as it is a mortal sin. As the Edwardian era was highly religious, the religious teachings would be seen as integral to society.
Capitalist ideas dismiss religious teachings , socialism could be seen as bringing society back to its moral functions.
[plain darkish suit]
He carries mystery as he is dressed simplistic , not suggestive of him belonging to any particular social class
[sternly to both of them]
He does not allow Shiela’s docile expectations and Gerald’s untouchable higher status to prohibit him from harshly delivering the message of responsibility
[cutting in , with authority]
[severely]
The stage directions show his intolerant and brutal demeanor used by Priestley to ironically show how it is the upper class who require “to come down harshly on these people”(Mr B Act1)
“ as if she was an animal , a thing , not a person”
The triple simile uses zoomirphism highlighting the Birlings family’s blatant disregard of Eva’s humanity through their dehumanising and exploitative treatment of her
The neglectful herd “thing” intensifies how she was not regarded with any form of compassion as a living being due to her social class
“Thing” also is written to produce a strong emotional reaction from the audience , disgust towards the bourgeoisie capitalists who inhumanly treat anyone not up to their standards .
“fire and blood and anguish”
Biblical allusions to hell
The polysyndetin(and) reinforces the sempiternal torture that the Birlings will face if they continue to part with their responsibility.
The inspector appears prophetic ( knowing if the future) which makes his message seem more daunting and important .
“members of one body”
He directly relays the biblical teaching used in baptism , the parallel language promotes the union of society and togetherness reinforcing the spread of Christianity and its foundational teachings.
“Remember that. Never forget it “
This is similar to Jesus providing salvation for mankind , as the Inspectors final speech can be seen as being the salvation for the Birlings
