Essay On The Inspector In John Priestley's An Inspector Calls

Inspector in John Priestley's An Inspector Calls

I will be analysing the question carefully, I will be looking into the character the Inspector, if he is believed, how he treats other characters and John Priestleys intentions.

Priestley served in the war throughout 1914 - 1918. The play was written in the winter of 1944 - 5 yet was set in 1912 before the war; its centres around the Birling family. A visit from a mysterious Inspector Goole challenges the family about their involvement in the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith.

At the beginning of the play the Birling family are happily enjoying a meal and celebrating the engagement of Gerald Croft and Sheila Birling. Birling starts to

Samantha Pavey

At first you have no suspicion of the Inspector but as the play goes on you realise the Inspector isn't all he seems. The main thing that lets the Inspector down is that he gets far too involved emotional and gets worked up over things. A real police Inspector would not get so involved. For example: Inspector - "(Very Sternly) Her position now is that she lies with a burnt - out inside on a slap. (As Birling tries to protest, turns on him.) Don't stammer and yammer at me again, man. I'm losing all patience with you people. He overreacts about such a small thing. A real police Inspector would treat Birling with more respect.

The Inspectors final speech, "but there are millions and millions of Eva smiths and John Smiths still left with us…We are all members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will come when, if men will nit learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish." This is what John Priestley thought at the time and is represented by the Inspector.