Inspector Goole

• How do the stage directions describe the lighting before the Inspector arrives?

  'pink and intimate'
• How do the stage directions describe the lighting are the Inspector arrives?

  'brighter and harder'
• 'pink and intimate' analysis

  • illuminates set before Inspector arrives
  • adj. 'intimate' reflects Birling family's facade as a close-knit family
  • soft colour conveys sense of comfort and optimism that characterises opening scene
  • more deeply symbolises their naivety
  • hinting at rose-tinted, middle-class complacency which is about to be shattered by Goole's arrival
• 'brighter and harder' analysis

  • mirrors a blinding, white light used for police interrogations
  • under the rigorous pressure of the Inspector's relentless questioning, each character will have to bring their secrets to the harsh light of day
• Inspector's arrival interrupting Birling's speech analysis

  • proud business man is explaining his individualistic worldview when the doorbell rings marking Goole's entrance
  • emphasises the shift in control away from Mr Birling to Inspector
  • first example of Inspector undermining Birling's ideas and represents his challenge to the businessman's philosophy of self-interest
  • symbolising the voice of capitalism being silenced by the voice of socialism
• What do the stage directions describe the Inspector as a man of?

  'massiveness, solidity and purposefulness'
• 'massiveness, solidity and purposefulness' analysis

  • displays superiority of Inspector through this character's charisma
  • adj. 'massiveness' - naturally fills room - possesses great gravitas and dominates stage
  • adj.ness. 'solidity' - man of firm, immovable convictions
  • upon entering stage, he carries a sense of focused 'purposefulness' - arrived with a clear, albeit unrevealed objective
• 'massiveness, solidity and purposefulness' - Priestley's intentions

  • uses triadic list - conveys sense of completeness and firmness of character
  • made Goole mouthpiece of socialist views - play's most commanding and authoritative character
  • contrast with Mr Birling to convey his political message
  • whereas play's voice of capitalism, Mr Birling, undermines his political message through his foolish words
  • uses Inspector's authoritativeness to bolster the narratives socialist message
• What does the Inspector claim in his final speech?

  he claims 'we don't live alone' and that society is 'one body'
• 'we don't live alone' analysis

  • such words underline the idea that the individual is not cut off from rest of society
  • everyone's life is interlinked - critiques Birling's view that 'a man has to make his own way'
  • Birling - believes individual is only responsible for themselves and can pursue their goals without consideration of others
  • Goole - holds that the individual's fate is inextricably bound up with that of their fellow man
• What does the Inspector warn society they will be punished for?

  warns that they will be punished in 'fire, blood and anguish' if they do not learn his lesson about responsibility