‘Inspector Goole.’ (p.11)
• The significance of Edna announcing the arrival of the Inspector lies in the fact that he represents the voice of working-class individuals like herself. As a working-class character, Edna may feel a sense of connection to the Inspector and his message, emphasizing his role as a representative of the lower class.
• The name ‘Goole,’ acting as a homophone for ‘Ghoul,’ suggests that the Inspector’s words will continue to haunt the Birling family until they acknowledge the need to take responsibility for their actions. Just like a ghoul, a supernatural entity often associated with haunting, the Inspector’s presence lingers as a reminder of their past deeds.
• The placement of two ‘OO’s in ‘Goole’ resembling two eyes reinforces the idea that the Inspector serves as a figure of surveillance. His role is to watch and expose the family’s secrets, just as eyes symbolize vigilance and observation. This connection underscores his role as an agent of truth and accountability.
The inspector need not be a big man but creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness…dressed in a plain darkish suit’ (pg11)
• ‘creates at once an impression’—shows how the inspector doesn’t need to assert his dominance as it comes naturally to him, unlike Mr Birling
• ‘Massiveness’—the fact that he creates a large impression without being physically big shows us that it’s the strength of his values and morals that are important
• ‘Solidity’—gives the impression that he’s sturdy perhaps inferring that he has a dense wall-like resilience
• ‘Purposefulness’—shows that the inspector is focused and so won’t be swayed by irrelevant things
• ‘Plain darkish suit’—the inspector’s clothes are very average. The use of ‘plain’ suggests that he doesn’t have
luxurious that upper classes might. Also the use of ‘darkish’ creates a sense of mystery which reinforces his
dominance.
• This description contrasts with Mr Birling who is described as being ‘heavy-looking’ and ‘portentous’.
‘Because what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events.’ (Pg14)
• ‘What happened to her’—this repeated phrase acts as a chain which links ideas of social responsibility together
• ‘A chain of events’—the structure of the passage reflects that of a physical chain
• The inspector talks about how things are interlinked which is reflected in the structure as the sentences are
linked through the recreated phrase ‘what happened to her’
‘And she hadn’t been able to save much out of what Birling and Company had paid her. With no work, no money coming in, and living in lodgings, with no relatives to help her, few friends, lonely, half-starved, she was feeling desperate’ (pg19)
• Through referencing Birling’s company, Priestley highlights how the fate of the lower class, exemplified by Eva Smith, is often dictated by their employers. This portrayal sheds light on the ignorant and oblivious nature of some employers, leading to dire consequences for their employees.
• The Inspector’s awareness and mention of Birling’s company, in contrast to Mr. Birling’s obliviousness, demonstrate the Inspector’s omniscient role. He appears to possess knowledge beyond what the characters themselves know, making him a figure of higher understanding and authority.
• The Inspector uses a detailed account of Eva Smith’s situation in the hope of evoking sympathy from the characters and the audience. By providing specific and vivid information about her circumstances, he seeks to elicit an emotional response and promote a deeper understanding of her plight.
• The use of asyndetic listing to describe Eva Smith’s dire living conditions serves to emphasize the extent of her suffering. The absence of conjunctions creates a sense of urgency and impact, evoking sympathy from the reader and highlighting the harsh reality of her situation.
‘(Sternly to both) You see, we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we’ll have to share our guilt’ (p29)
- ‘Share something’—links to the values of socialism reinforcing how the inspector is a mouthpiece for socialist views
- ‘Share our guilt’—could allude to the fact that the play was written after the world wars; Priestley proposes sharing social responsibility is a way of coming together and a solution to conflict
‘(Cutting in with authority) He must wait his turn.’ —pg33
- ‘‘He must wait his turn’ – won’t be commanded by Mr Birling, very methodical with his approach
- Links to ‘One line of enquiry at a time’
- Makes him more trustworthy as he sticks to what he said before
- The use of the imperative verb ‘must’ reinforces the inspector’s authoritative demeanour in that he
gives commands to the Birlings
p33 – “Miss Birling compelled them to discharge her, and then she stopped being Eva Smith, looking for a job and became Daisy Renton, with other ideas. (Sharply turning on him.) Mr Croft, when did you first get to know her?”
• The Inspector’s use of the verb “compelled” indicates that Sheila exploits her upper-class privilege and entitlement for her personal benefit, suggesting a sense of manipulation and self-interest.
• The Inspector’s logical and formulaic way of speaking, coupled with his promptness in requesting more information, showcases his direct and methodical approach to the investigation.
• The adverb “sharply” connects to the lighting becoming “brighter and harder,” creating tension in the scene. This link emphasizes how the Inspector’s presence exerts pressure on the characters, intensifying the atmosphere.
• The reference to the ‘sharp doorbell’ further portrays the Inspector’s astute character, aligning his demeanor with the precision and directness of the sound. This enhances the perception of him as an incisive and perceptive figure.
‘(Sharply) Your daughter isn’t living on the moon. She’s here in Brumley too.’ -pg37
- ‘She’s here in Brumley too’—the inspector gives Sheila her responsibility back when Mr Birling tries to get her out of the situation
- ‘Living on the moon’—could show that women back then were often excluded or kept separate from serious situations
‘(Firmly) yes. I know — he’s your son and this is your house – but look a him he needs a drink now just to see him through.’ Pg 51
- ‘(Firmly)’ Mr Birling has to be extremely loud to get some sort of attention, but it still isn’t very effective, however the Inspector remains calm and composed, yet he is viewed as more authoritative and respected
‘You’ll be able to divide the responsibility between you when I’ve gone.’ pg 54
- Shows the essence of socialism
- Suggests that sharing responsibility is a way of coping with the guilt of their actions
“If men do not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish” (pg 56) –
- Can either been seen through a biblical perspective as a representation of hell in “fire and blood and anguish” or can be contextually interpreted by the audience as a reference to Act One.
- Since the Inspector relates to actual events that have happened, it makes hard words more credible to the audience since the two World Wars are still strongly embedded in their hearts and minds.
- Refers to later in Act 3 when Sheila vocalises the teachings of the Inspector by saying “Fire and Blood
and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk…” Accentuates the strong repulse she feels towards the capitalist notions of the older generation as well as a direct copy of the Inspector’s words shows that the Inspector has made a profound impact on the younger generation.
