As the inspector begins his final speech he makes sure that no one is talking that they are all listening. After he makes them all listen he points out to each of them how they have helped to push the girl towards suicide. He admits that Gerald did at least give the girl some affection and happiness, but stresses that they are all to blame and that they will never forget what they have done. The inspector’s tone becomes prophetic as his final speech goes on, he talks how the world will change and soon.
He talks of fire and pain and destruction, this could relate to the world wars that are coming. Then after this huge climax and build up the inspector leaves them. The family are in shock and awe. The Inspector’s repetition of what each has done to harm the girl is a useful reminder of their weaknesses and makes sure they realise what they have done. It shows that the Inspector’s job is nearly over, it leaves the Birlings to think back on their part in the girl’s death and it builds up the sense of guild before the Inspector’s final speech.
A large section of the play has been leading up to this point and it almost like the finishing climax if it wasn’t for the additional surprise to come. The Inspector’s last speech sums up how Priestly feels about capitalism and people “but just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths with us,” In this final speech JB Priestly is aiming to make his audience think again about their views and make them realise that everyone should be responsible for everybody else.
Earlier in the play Mr Birling had said “The worlds developing so fast that it’ll make war impossible” Priestly attempts to put across the part that these values are incorrect and though the inspectors final speech he lets the audience know that “if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish” The inspector is crushing Birling’s earlier thoughts and opinions to show how wrong their lives and views are.
