GCSE English Literature

Inspector Goole Quotes6 essential quotes with full analysis.

Complete collection of Inspector Goole's most important quotes for GCSE English Literature, including the famous “We are members of one body” speech.

About Inspector Goole

Inspector Goole is the mysterious figure who arrives to investigate Eva Smith's suicide. His name, sounding like “ghoul” (a ghost or spirit), hints at his supernatural nature. He may represent Priestley's own socialist voice, the collective conscience of society, or a spiritual figure sent to judge the Birlings.

Unlike a real police inspector, Goole isn't interested in legal guilt but moral responsibility. His final speech, with its warning of “fire and blood and anguish,” delivers Priestley's message directly to the audience: we must care for each other or face devastating consequences.

Social ResponsibilitySocialismMoralityMysteryJustice

All Inspector Goole Quotes

“We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityCommunitySocialism

Context: The Inspector's final speech before leaving the Birling household.

Analysis

Priestley uses the Inspector as his mouthpiece for socialist ideology. The biblical allusion to "one body" (1 Corinthians 12) gives the message religious authority. The simple sentences and repetition of "we" create a sermon-like quality. This encapsulates the play's central message.

Language Techniques:

Biblical allusionRepetitionTricolonDirect address

Exam Tip

Link to post-war context - the play advocates for the welfare state. Compare to Birling's capitalist individualism.

“If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityConsequencesWar

Context: The Inspector's warning at the end of his final speech.

Analysis

The prophecy references both World Wars (the play is set in 1912 but written in 1945). The listing creates a sense of inevitable, escalating horror. "Fire and blood and anguish" evokes biblical apocalypse. Priestley warns that ignoring social responsibility leads to destruction.

Language Techniques:

ProphecyTricolonBiblical languageDramatic irony

Exam Tip

The 1945 audience knew the prophecy had come true. Link to Priestley's belief that society must change.

“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges”
Inspector GooleAct 1
Social ResponsibilityClassPower

Context: The Inspector challenges Birling's dismissal of his workers' welfare.

Analysis

The Inspector directly challenges upper-class entitlement. The balance of "responsibilities" and "privileges" suggests they should be equal. "Public men" implies those with power are accountable to society. This undermines Birling's self-serving philosophy.

Language Techniques:

Direct addressBalanced structureChallenge to authority

Exam Tip

Contrasts with Birling's "a man has to mind his own business." Shows conflicting ideologies.

“We are all interlinked as one community”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityCommunityInterconnection

Context: The Inspector explains why Eva Smith's death concerns everyone present.

Analysis

The organic metaphor of being "interlinked" suggests society is a living organism where each part affects the whole. "Community" emphasises shared responsibility. This directly opposes Birling's individualist capitalism.

Language Techniques:

Organic imageryInclusive pronoun "we"

Exam Tip

Link to Priestley's socialism. The family literally is "interlinked" to Eva through their actions.

“One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us”
Inspector Goole
Social ResponsibilityClassUniversal Message

Context: The Inspector universalises Eva's story in his final speech.

Analysis

The repetition of "millions" emphasises the vast scale of social injustice. Eva becomes a symbol for all exploited working-class people. The common names "Smith" make her representative of ordinary people. The Inspector challenges the Birlings to see beyond their individual case.

Language Techniques:

RepetitionSymbolismUniversal application

Exam Tip

Eva represents the entire working class. Priestley wants the audience to see their own responsibility to "millions" of people.

“Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”
Inspector Goole
Collective ResponsibilityGuiltMemory

Context: The Inspector assigns collective guilt to the family.

Analysis

The imperative "Remember" and "Never forget" create a moral obligation. "Each of you" ensures no one can escape blame. The simple, direct sentences carry the weight of a verdict. The Inspector acts as judge, ensuring the family cannot deny their role.

Language Techniques:

Imperative verbsDirect addressShort sentences

Exam Tip

The Inspector functions as judge and conscience. His commands echo moral and religious instruction.

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View quotes from other characters including Mr Birling, Sheila, Eric, and Mrs Birling.

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