An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Responsibility and Guilt
diagram:see
| Distinction | First idea | Second idea | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responsibility vs Guilt | Responsibility = objective duty for consequences | Guilt = subjective recognition of that duty | A character can be responsible without feeling guilt |
| Regret vs Transformation | Regret = emotional discomfort in the moment | Transformation = sustained moral change | Exams reward evidence of long-term change |
| Legal truth vs Moral truth | Legal truth asks whether rules were broken | Moral truth asks whether harm was caused | The play prioritizes moral accountability |
| Individual fault vs Social system | Individual fault focuses on personal choices | Social system shows structural inequality | Strong essays evaluate both together |
Key takeaway to memorize: Responsibility is demonstrated by changed behavior, not by words alone.