Inspector Goole

• The Inspector, in his fifties, initially appears ordinary but becomes more ominous and supernatural. JB Priestly describes him as "massive, solid, and purposeful". Inspector Goole interrogates every Birling member, from Mr. Birling to Sheila Birling, and Gerald Croft. Priestley describes his remarkable habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before speaking.

  
• Power


  “Need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”
• A mind reader?


  "He speaks carefully, weightily and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking”.
• “Two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. She’d been taken there this afternoon because she’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course”
• “...It’s better to ask for the Earth than to take it”
• (To Gerald) “And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?”
• “A girl died tonight. A pretty, lively sort of girl, who never did anybody any harm. But she died in misery and agony- hating life-”
• "This girl killed herself- and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it."
• "One Eva Smith has gone- but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us"
• Priestley's character development in the play revolves around the Inspector, Goole, who remains assertive throughout the story. He gains more control over the characters and represents Priestley's strong moral views. Goole's role is to change attitudes, face up to actions, and take responsibility for each other. He heightens drama through well-timed entrances and exits, and controls the play's structure, moving the story forward with each revelation.