Inspector goole

• Inspector Goole


  A symbol of the working class and those made voiceless due to Capitalism, used to present Priestley's Socialist views and help the Birlings face the consequences of their actions
• Inspector Goole

  • His power is shown from the first moment he enters
  • He need not be a big man but still creates an "impression of massiveness"
  • His physical appearance doesn't define him, the strength of his morals is what makes him strong
  • He directly contrasts with Mr. Birling who is "heavy looking"
  • He is described as "cutting through massively" - like the sharp sword of justice, cutting through each person's lies
  • Whenever Priestley describes the inspector, he uses the semantic field of size, showing the sheer importance of this man and his power
  • Through the juxtaposition of Mr. Birling and the inspector, Priestley demonstrates the strength of the inspector's Socialist views compared to Birling's views of Capitalism
  • This is why the inspector doesn't need to reinforce his views with an impressive appearance
• Inspector's appearance (again)


  Does not need to be physically impressive to reinforce his views because his moral convictions give him power
• Inspector's views


  Contrasted with Mr. Birling's views on capitalism; demonstrate the strength of the inspector's beliefs in socialism
• Semantic field of size

  Used by Priestley to describe the inspector and emphasize his importance and power
• Inspector's appearance


  Not physically imposing, but the strength of his moral convictions gives him power and importance
• Inspector's power


  Evident from his first appearance in the play; he gives off a sense of "massiveness" and is described as "cutting through massively"
• Inspector Goole


  A character in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls" who has a powerful presence due to the strength of his moral convictions
• Palogora Ziclees


  The inspector gives a voice to the voiceless working class who suffer from a political system designed to ensure they never succeed
• "there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths": 'Eva's story is not uncommon - working class suffer'
• "Put ourselves in the place of these young women counting pennies in their dingy little back bedrooms": 'Trying to get the Birlings (audience) to put themselves in the shoes of the working class - need to reflect on their own morals to make a change'
• The inspector


  Sees society as more important than individual interests, unlike Mr. Birling who believes "a man has to make his own way"
• The inspector's views


  A mouthpiece for Priestley's socialist views
• Edify


  To instruct to improve someone morally and ethically
• The inspector


  • Tries to help the Birlings (middle/upper class) take responsibility for their actions, see the error in their ways, and make a change
• "Each of you helped kill her": 'Collective responsibility'
• The lighting when the inspector enters

  Changes from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder", representing the changing mood of the play
• The pink light


  Suggests the Birlings see life through rose-tinted glasses, they do not see the reality of the impending war, the suffering working class, etc. "Intimate" suggests they only knew and cared about themselves, trapped in a bubble from the reality of the world
• The harsher "brighter" light


  Suggests the light of truth and harsh reality the inspector brings, revealing the truth about the family as they begin to see each other in a different way
• Everything the inspector says to the Birlings


  Is directed to the audience - allowing them to reflect on their own behaviour
• The inspector's main role

  To be a mouthpiece for Priestley's views
• "If there's nothing else we have to share our guilt": 'The idea of "sharing" is a big part of socialism'
• "If men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish": 'Use of syndetic listing connects to endless suffering - fits into the context of war + 1945 audience still wounded by the effects of WWs and WWII'
• Priestley


  Encouraging the audience to drive for social change and a new socialist society, regardless of their class