The Character of Inspector Goole

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  • Inspector Goole
    • Mysterious
      • His name sounds like "ghoul" which is another word for a ghost, which hints to the audience that the Inspector has a link to death (Eva Smith's death) and also suggests that he could be a ghost or a spirit
      • When the Inspector enters, the lighting changes from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder" which could symbolise that the Birling's are no longer looking through "rose-tinted glasses" and just seeing the pleasant things - the mood is now more serious and harsh, which foreshadows what the Inspector is about to reveal about the other characters
      • The play ends on a cliffhanger, which leaves the audience curious about the true identity of the Inspector
    • Socialist
      • Priestley uses the character of Inspector Goole to portray his own socialist views, which is most clear during the Inspector's final speech when he says "We are members of one body" which addresses the audience as well as the other characters
      • Priestley uses the timing of the Inspector's entrance to hint that the Inspector will oppose and contrast with Mr Birling's capitalist views as the Inspector interrupts Mr Birling's speech and enters just after Mr Birling says "a man has to mind his own business"
      • Inspector Goole enforces his socialist views on the characters and audience by saying that the lives of working class people are "all intertwined with our lives"
      • Priestley juxtaposes Mr Birling's speech at the start of the play with Inspector Goole's speech at the end of the play which emphasises the contrast between their social views and forces the audience to side with either Mr Birling or the Inspector
    • Authoritative
      • The Inspector continuously questions the characters and uses language that is forceful, personal and to the point which forces the others to admit the truth e.g. the Inspector asks Mrs Birling "Was it or was it not your influence?" and asks Gerald "And then you decided to keep her - as your mistress?"
      • He already knows the truth about all the characters which makes him seem God-like and omniscient (all-knowing)
      • He works with "one person and one line of inquiry at a time. Otherwise, there's a muddle" which means that the Inspector paces the play to create tension and curiosity in both the other characters and the audience
    • Moral
      • The Inspector makes the other characters and the audience feel ashamed when he emphasises that "there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us"
      • He uses  religious imagery to warn the other characters that they will be taught a lesson "in fire and blood and anguish" which symbolises hell and makes the other characters guilty and fearful of their punishment
      • The Inspector uses a very serious tone to teach the other characters and the audience about social responsibility when he says "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges"

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