Character Analysis: The inspector Flashcards
Analyse:
“ You told us that a man has to make his own way, look after himself’ “ then one of those cranks walked in”
Inspector is used as a dramatic device, as noted by Eric, Use of on stage timing.
Analyse:
“ he creates an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness”
Priestley uses this metaphor in his stage directions which is later exposed as ironic at the end of the play, as the inspector creates an impression of the weight of the law when no crime has been committed.
Analyse:
“A girl died tonight. A pretty, lively sort of girl, who never did anybody any harm, but she died in misery and agony- hating life.”
Priestly makes use of dramatic pauses to build tension which is presented through the dashes. Use of contrast is demonstrated through the hyperbolic words of “misery” and “agony” to create maximum pathos, in order to allow the protagonists to feel vulnerable towards her death.
Analyse:
“ the inspector appears, looking steadily and searchingly at them”.
Adverbs demonstrate Priestley’s manipulation of stage directions to show the strategic body language of the inspector to provoke the confessions that ensue.
Analyse:
“ she was an animal, a thing, not a person”
Triplets allude to the dehumanisation of her due to her gender and her class status.
Analyse:
“We have to share our guilt,” “We are members of one body,”
The inspector’s choice of inclusive pronouns “we” demonstrated that he attempts to reinforce the idea of collective responsibility which is socialist values in contrast to Mr and Mrs Birling repeating the personal pronoun, “I”. Thus reinforcing the idea of generational divide. The inspector speaks in short sentences to make the tone seem more dramatic and intense
Analyse:
Fire, blood and anguish
The inspector uses the rule of three (triplet) in “Fire, blood and anguish.” to show how the painful consequences of our individual actions can negatively impact all our lives life .The writer uses these specific nouns in order for the audience to share their emotions since war was recent at the time, allowing the tension to be heightened from the audience, since they can relate sensitively to this matter. Prophetic overtones of the language of political speeches.
