Inspector Goole

• What is the Inspector's initial appearance in the play?

  The Inspector is dressed in a minimal "plain darkish suit".

  
• What does the homophone of Goole suggest about the Inspector?

  It suggests a supernatural nature, as "Goole" sounds like "ghoul".

  
• Why does Priestley leave the Inspector's physical appearance vague?

  Because his message of social responsibility is more important than his appearance.
• How does the Inspector create an impression despite his physical size?

  He creates an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness.
• What role does the Inspector take on in the play?

  The Inspector takes on the role of an omniscient moral force for good.
• How is the Inspector characterized in relation to socialist values?

  The Inspector channels socialist values and ideology.
• What is the Inspector's purpose in the play regarding the younger generation?

  He encourages the younger generation to break away from the older, individualistic generation.
• What is the homophone of Goole that suggests the supernatural nature of the Inspector?

  Ghoul
• Why does Priestley leave the Inspector's physical appearance vague and unimportant?

  Because Priestley's message of social responsibility is more important than the Inspector's appearance
• According to the stage directions, how does the Inspector create an impression?

  The Inspector "creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness"
• What role does the Inspector take on in the play?

  The Inspector takes on the role of an omniscient, moral force for good
• What values and ideology are channelled through the Inspector?

  Socialist values and ideology
• How does the Inspector encourage the younger generation to break away from the older, more traditional and individualistic generation?

  The Inspector utilises his role as a vehicle to catalyse change in perceptions of responsibility
• How does the Inspector refuse a drink of port?

  The Inspector says "no, thank you [...] I'm on duty"
• What does the Inspector's refusal of the alcoholic drink symbolize?

  It symbolizes the Inspector's refusal to act immorally
• How does the play end with the Inspector rejecting Mr Birling's attempt at bribery?

  Mr Birling makes it clear he would "give thousands", which the Inspector responds with "you're offering the money at the wrong time"
• What does the cyclical structure of the play demonstrate about the consistency of the Inspector's morals?

  It demonstrates the consistency of the Inspector's morals, while simultaneously presenting Mr Birling as immoral throughout
• What is the cause of the immorality and corruption in society, according to Priestley?

  Capitalism causes immorality, while socialism causes morality
• How does the Inspector's views differ from the pre-suffrage 1912 society?

  The Inspector's views are too progressive for the pre-suffrage 1912 society and are more aligned with the contemporary audience
• How does the Inspector refer to Eva Smith?


  The Inspector persists in referring to her by her name, Eva Smith
• How do the Birlings perceive Eva Smith compared to the Inspector?

  The Birlings perceive Eva as insignificant - just a "girl" due to her lower social status, while the Inspector sees her as an individual with significance
• What is the purpose of the Inspector, according to the text?

  The Inspector's purpose is not to convict the Birlings of any crime, but to force them to recognize the immorality of their actions and change their attitudes towards social responsibility
• How does Priestley portray the Inspector as completely moral?


  Priestley portrays the Inspector as an example of how to act for the improvement of society
• How does Priestley describe the Inspector's physical appearance in the stage directions?


  Priestley states the Inspector "need not be a large man" but he "gives the impression of massiveness"
• What is the purpose of the Inspector's modest appearance, according to the text?

  Priestley suggests the Inspector has no interest in attracting interest to himself, as his purpose is to promote socialist values and denounce the commercialism and superficiality of capitalism