IMPACT/EFFECT;

• SYMBOLIC OF THE NEED TO CHANGE.
• SEEN AS>

  -OMNISCIENT = seen everywhere

  as he already knows everything in the play - CONTOL

  -OMNIPOTENT.
• The inspector is very persuasive and manages to influence SHEILA and ERIC. [not the older gen tho]

  -DOESN'T FORCE CHANGE>

  • influenced SHEILA by her reaction and how she starts to act like inspector.

  E.G. "So this is my responsibility."
• Presented as the antithesis of MR B, a very ignorant and immoral character, Whereas the inspector is a very educated and moral character
• Through MRS B, GERALD and MEGGARTY - the inspector exposes the hypocrisy of upper classes.

  They believe that they are "respectable" when in actuality they are corrupt, uncaring and immoral.

  E.G.: "We're respectable citizens not criminals" - Gerald - Ironic
• The inspector uses Eva to inflict guilt on the rest of the characters. This teaches them that Eva is just a MICROCOSM of people suffering in the lower classes.
• "Fire, blood and anguish"

  -Tells them to learn their lesson now if not now in war > use of violent imagery.

  -[set in 1912] 2 years before both world wars {FORESHADOWING}

  -Could be describing 'HELL' as the family is committing disastrous sins against another life.
• Challenges Mr B's authority and Capitalism.

  {STAGE DIRECTIONS}

  • 'Has an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness'
  • 'In his fifties' [age]
  • 'He looks hard to the person he addresses'
• The inspector is not there to find out WHAT happened to the girl but WHY.

  • educational messages = DIDACTIC PLAY
  • Play is disguised as murder mystery.