Inspector

Inspector

1. He is Priestley's mouthpiece, in that he embodies key socialist views, and takes moral stances against the Birlings.

   • '(dryly) I don't play golf'
     • The Birling's attempts to threaten/intimidate him are futile
   • 'Her position now is that she lies with a burnt out inside on a slab'
     • His bluntness make audience more likely to condemn those who have mistreated the Girl
   • I beg your pardon?
     • The Older Generation of Birlings find him outrageous and rude at first, as he inspects them in a way they have never been inspected before.

2. His speech at the end clarifies his message, and brings together his strong socialist views

   • At the end-creates a lasting impression. Also characters are more likely to accept this as they have witnessed the events of strong capitalist views
   • Addresses audience directly rather than a piece of conversation, encouraging them to take responsibility
   • 'millions and millions and millions'
     • Listing in threes to emphasise extent of which we are all interlinked
   • 'fire and blood and anguish'
     • Foreshadows war- almost as if it is a punishment for society
   • 'their suffering and chance of happiness'
     • Contrastive pairs to heighten effect of what he is saying
   • 'Eva Smiths and John smiths still left with us'
     • Universalising Eva's case suggests an opportunity for redemption

3. His mysterious character triggers curiosity, this is heightened at the end when we find out he isn't real

   • The fact that he is ordinary in appearance underlines the fact that he is different in his attitude and method of investigation
   • Also seems to be a confessor figure, which the characters admit their sins to him. Unlike a real police inspector, he does not make things easy for them or pass judgement aloud, but unlike a priest, he neither forgive/punishes them
   • His power is in the fact that we don't know who he is. Priestley drops no clues and leaves it unopened at the end as he does not want to limit the inspector to just one interpretation.
   • 'Massiveness, Solidarity
     • Assertive, imposing figure, there to achieve his aim.
   • 'Somehow he makes you'
     • His mystery allows him to be relatable to anyone. He could represent a spirit, God, Priestly, or act as a fore-warning of what awaits the society of 1912

4. As each of the characters positions in the murder are revealed, he remains constant and unmoving

   • speaks 'calmly' steadily' but also 'sternly' 'grimly'
     • Shows his ability to take control and intervene
   • 'one line of inquiry at a time'
     • He takes control of how the order of events in which things are revealed.- Adds to dramatic effect
   • Very methodical in his order, and idea of a strict time scale
   • 'my duty to ask questions'
     • Takes responsibility seriously unlike Birling and is certain of himself.
   • 'waiting to do my duty'
     • He seems to know about each characters involvement, and sets them up to fail. Also shows him to be omniscient