AIC - Inspector

Question 1

(act 1 pg 11)

Answer 1

creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness.
This stage direction shows his strength highlighting how he is not easily swayed or changed.
The adjective ‘purposefulness’ in the tricolon highlights how his integrity and inner strength.
His description contrasts that of other characters as there is no indication of his class – highlights how Priestley’s socialist message is universal.

Question 2

(act 1 pg 14)

Answer 2

(act 1 pg 14)
‘a chain of events’
The inspector uses the metaphor of ‘a chain of events’ to push his socialist message and urge the Birling’s to accept responsibility. Priestly uses the inspector to push his socialist ideology of how everyone’s actions impact one another.

Question 3

(act 2 pg 29)

Answer 3

“(sternly to them both) You see, we have to share … our guilt.”
In this stage direction, the inspector uses the adverbial ‘sternly’ which has moralistic and educational feel to it. His tone contrasts that of a police officer as he relays the idea of social responsibility.
Priestly further uses the inspector to push his socialist ideology to ‘share’. This directly juxtaposes Mr B’s individualistic ideology.

Question 4

(act 1 pg 22)

Answer 4

“Sometimes there isn’t as much difference as you think. Often, if it was left to me, I wouldn’t know where to draw the line.”
challenges Gerald’s claim that’s they are all respectable citizens a claim that he makes presumably because of his social class.

As Priestley’s mouthpiece the inspector is attempting to tear down class divisions something typical of his socialist mindset.

Question 5

(act 2 pg 43)

Answer 5

” … if he’s not back soon, I shall have to go and find him.
Birling and Mrs Birling exchange bewildered and rather frightened glances.”
The adjectives ‘bewildered’ and ‘frightened’ create a supernatural aura surrounding the inspector highlighting how the senior Birlings are belittled by his presence.
The inspector further creates a threatening atmosphere with the phrase ‘I shall have to’ exposing his methodical yet unorthodox approach.

Question 6

(act 3 pg 56)

Answer 6

“Inspector: there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”
The hyperbolic repetition of ‘millions’ implies the large number of people in the working class giving the impression that ‘millions’ suffer like Eva – This invokes a strong sense of pity in his audience.
Priestley uses generic names such as ‘Eva Smith’ and ‘John Smith’ to represent the working-class which strips them of much of their identity which reflects the little concern the middle and upper classes have for them despite their livelihood being the source of their wealth.

Question 7

essay plan

Answer 7

Initial description
* (act 1 pg 11) - creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness.

socialist message
* (act 1 pg 14) - ‘a chain of events’
* (act 2 pg 29) - “(sternly to them both) You see, we have to share … our guilt.”

Conflict with senior Birlings
* (act 1 pg 22) - “Sometimes there isn’t as much difference as you think. Often, if it was left to me, I wouldn’t know where to draw the line.”
* (act 2 pg 43) - “ … if he’s not back soon, I shall have to go and find him. Birling and Mrs Birling exchange bewildered and rather frightened glances.”

Finale
* (act 3 pg 56) - “Inspector: there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths”