Analysis of the Character of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestly

Analysis of the Character of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls by J.B Priestly

The play "An Inspector Calls" is about an inspector who visits the

Birling family, Mr Arthur Birling, Mrs Sybil Birling, Mr Eric Birling,

Miss Sheila Birling and Sheila's fiancé Gerald Croft. This play is set

in 1912, in the Edwardian era.

When the Inspector enters every thing is based on him. None of the

family can go any where or do any thing without his consent.

As soon as the Inspector enters the Birling dining room he stands out

as different because of the way he dresses. He is wearing "a plain

darkish suit," whereas the other men are dressed in evening wear. As

he enters, the lighting changes and this creates a sense of his

importance. His character creates "an impression of massiveness,

solidity and purposefulness." The Inspector is in his fifties and

speaks carefully; he looks hard at the person he addresses before

speaking.

The Inspector has an unusual manner and asks questions inappropriately

which suggests he isn't a normal police inspector, for example,

"Why... why did you refuse?" This is a strange question from a police

inspector because he is questioning why Mr Birling wouldn't give the

girls a pay rise. Another example would be his reply to Mrs Birling,

"Some of them-yes." This is strange that a police inspector is sure of

his facts as they usually go to find out if the things they know are

facts but this inspector is very sure of himself. Police inspectors

don't usually bother to talk about unfair business they just get on

with what they need to find out.

He has a strange way of conducting his investigations; he only shows

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... of the Birling family. "All intertwined with our lives . . ." he

is expressing inter-relationships which are demonstrated by the

Birlings' connections with Eva.

When he walks straight out this is an abrupt departure, he has been

and done what he had to do, he leaves the family to reflect and

hopefully learn something from the events of the evening. The effect

of the last words left the family amazed, "starring, subdued and

wondering" The end of this play gives you no answers it leaves you

asking your self questions; who was he? What was he? How did he know

the things he did? Was it really only one girl?

The Inspector was sent to the family to make them realise how unfair

they were being to people less wealthy than them. J.B Priestley,

through the Inspector, gives a very important message, message of

socialism.