How does Preistly present the character of Inspector Goole to an audience throughout the play? Remember to make links to social, cultural and historical contexts. Inspector Goole is arguably presented as a pivotal figure who unravels the moral flaws of the Birling family. Priestley presents Goole not merely as a police inspector, but as a mysterious, almost otherworldly figure whose omniscient nature and blunt questions challenge each character’s social responsibility. Through Inspector Goole, Priestley challenges the social inequalities and failures of early 20th-century British society. During the exposition of the play, Inspector Goole’s entrance instantly reveals the purpose of his character. Priestley presents him as an imposing figure …show more content…
Although the play conforms to a stereotypical detective genre, it could arguably be described as a morality play as the main purpose of the Inspector is to teach a moral lesson. Additionally, the quote “we are members of one body” alludes to the Bible and emphasises the Inspector’s belief in human love and equality. This biblical reference, echoing the Christian teachings that all humans are interconnected and responsible for one another, positions the Inspector as a religious figure. His views about social responsibility and collective morality resonate with the teachings of the bible, urging the characters to reflect on their actions and their impact on others. The Inspector's final speech, where he warns of "fire and blood and anguish," has connotations of hell and the idea of suffering found in religious texts. This further solidifies the idea that he holds a religious viewpoint, not just a detective unravelling a mystery but a figure displaying teachings of that nature. Through Inspector Goole, Priestley weaves a narrative that transcends the conventional detective story, infusing it with ethical and religious dimensions that challenge both the characters and the audience to consider the consequences of their
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
This scene gives the audience information about the characters and helps to get the audience interested in the play they are about to watch. J.B. Priestley quickly puts across that there is a small celebratio... ... middle of paper ... ... maid, Edna, tells Mr Birling he replies "An inspector? What kind of inspector?
'An Inspector Calls' is a morality play - a form of play developed in the late middle ages in which a Christian moral lesson was brought out through the struggle between the forces of good and evil - set in 1912, and revolves around the questioning of a family by Inspector Goole about the suicide of a young woman (Eva Smith) that the family knew.The author, J.B. Priestley is trying to show us what some people's arrogance and selfishness can cause without them even noticing. Priestley was a socialist, therefore by writing this play he was drawing attention to the bad things about capitalism. The Inspector was intending to teach the Birlings that ?...we have to share something. If there?s nothing else, we?ll have to share our guilt? Act One. By saying this, he is telling them they are all as guilty as each other of the suicide of Eva Smith, this also links to Priestley being a socialist because he is putting the Birlings to shame.
The play ‘An Inspector Calls” by J.B Priestly, is set on an April evening in 1912. The play concerns the Birling family and Gerald Croft quietly celebrating over Gerald and (Mr. Birling’s daughter) Sheila Birling’s engagement, when an Inspector arrives unexpectedly amidst their family celebration to enquire about a suicide of a young pregnant girl called, Eva Smith.
‘ An Inspector Calls ’ is a play written by J Priestley in the year 1945 and but the play was set in the year 1912. The play is set right before World War One, in an upper-class house belonging to the Birlings, a high-status family, whose lives are suddenly affected by the death of a woman called Eva Smith. Throughout the play, there are 4 main themes; social responsibility, social class, and age. In the play, Priestley explores different social classes by presenting views from a range of characters with different social images and backgrounds. Priestley uses many devices such as irony and foreshadowing to
Priestley presents this moral message and his politics and opinions through the Inspector, who is a God-like figure and serves as a conscience for both the audience and the Birling family. The Inspector also serves a peculiar but important role in the play. The Inspector teaches the Birling family morality and serves them a conscience. The Inspector is nothing more than a phantasm or illusion, as we know from the end of the play. Priestley’s morals are mixed between his politics and the beliefs of a Christian.
shall firstly do a summery of the play and give a basic image of what
In ‘An Inspector Calls’ J.B Priestley purposely embeds various messages in the text to voice his thoughts and concerns on the era. ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play frequently described as a murder mystery, but underneath lies a strong political message. J.B Priestley uses numerous dramatic devices to attack the social mores of his time, such as the use of hindsight to show mankind’s mistake’s such as the wars and the sinking of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic- a morality tale. The play is also used as a platform to preach Priestley’s socialist agenda. With the upcoming political election of 1945, J.B Priestley decided to write a play in an attempt to persuade people to vote for the socialist party. Hence, Priestley decided to use retrospect by basing his play in 1912 to show all the mistakes made by the political leaders at the time. Thus the role of The Inspector is used as a ‘voice of god figure’ exerting influence over the Birling household, does he then represent the voice of Priestley or a ‘god like’ figure? However all that can be said in essence is ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a modern day morality play in which the capitalistic Birling family is exposed by the inspector, who ultimately happens to be a representative of not the law but morality.
The theme of selfishness is central to An Inspector Calls. Priestley questions the morality of the Birling and Croft
When the Inspector enters, his manner conflicts with Mr Birling’s, as well as his opinion of society. He is relatively reserved, although he is not intimidated to ask questions to the Birling’s ...
Socialism is one of the greatest messages that Priestley conveys. This message is spoken through the inspector. The Inspector represents Priestley’s strong moral views. Through the play, the Inspector’s character is shown as if he is Priestley’s image, and also shows that he is no ordinary Inspector. His character is shown as if he is more concerned with morality than legality, other than that of an ordinary Policeman/Inspector.
The play ‘An Inspector Calls’ is set in 1912 – the Edwardian era. The play focuses upon the Birling family and their changing relationships. The family is headed by the “prosperous manufacturer” Arthur Birling. During this era, social position was far more significant than it is today; Arthur Birling becomes the depiction of a typical Capitalist “hard headed businessman”. However, this era also marked a critical period of change and a rise in socialist activity. With the Labour Party beginning to have an impact on the political life of the country, the rights of workers that maintained Capitalist businesses were becoming slightly more apparent. Through, ‘An Inspector Calls’, Priestley makes it fervently clear that social change must be forced upon those in power such as Arthur Birling.
The Inspector, straight form his introduction, is commanding and authoritative. Upon his entrance he creates, “…at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”(PG.11) The Inspector continues to create this impression as he progresses through his speeches and through his interrogation of the family. The Inspector remains confident, sturdy and composed, while people around him crumble and fall to pieces. His ‘solidity’ is proven by the fact he remains on task despite numerous attempts from Birling to digress from the points he is making. The Inspector is told to appear ‘purposeful’; this is shown where he explains to Birling that Birlings way of thinking “Every man must only look out for himself,” is not the case, and all warps of society are interlinked. The view is best illustrated in the Inspectors final speech, where he says, “We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”(p.56). This idea is one that Priestley, himself believed in deeply, and many of Priestleys writing shared this very theme.
Priestley explores the sense of responsibility in his morality play, an inspector calls, through the reactions and comments of each of the Birling family members towards Eva Smith's death and their involvements. First Priestley explores the sense of responsibility through Mr Birling and his higher class values on the lower classes and comments made to accusations of his involvement with Eva’s death. This is first implied, “If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everyone we;d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it? Mr Birling denies his apparent responsibility for Eva Smith suicide and believes if we were all responsible for each other it would be “awkward” which opposes his capitalist values and views of a shared social responsibility. Also it is presented, “There’ll be a scandal “.
The mystery and intrigue that surround Priestley's Inspector Goole allow for a deceptively complex character. Written in 1945, An Inspector Calls, a social commentary that critiques the capitalist attitudes of 1912 British society, was first performed in communist Russia due to backlash from London’s artistic community. The inspector plays a cardinal role as the voice of the working class and a messenger of God, presenting Priestley’s socialist views in a positive light. Priestley presents Inspector Goole as an omniscient agent of God.