Inspector Goole

Question 1

Imposing

The stage directions that describe the Inspector give the impression that he is an imposing figure. His tendency to interrupt and control the conversation adds to this impression too.

Answer 1

…he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.

The fact that his presence combines ‘massiveness’ with ‘purposefulness’ suggests that the Inspector would be a very imposing figure.

Question 2

Emotive

When he tells the others about Eva Smith’s death he leaves in the gruesome details.

Answer 2

“Her position now is that she lies with a burnt out inside on a slab.”

This is such a shocking image presented in plain language, it is not surprising that it impacts upon the emotions of the other characters and the audience. The Inspector uses this language intentionally to make the family more likely to confess.

Question 3

Prophetic

As the Inspector delivers his closing speech, he prophesises a terrible future.

Answer 3

“And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good night.”

The Inspector predicts a hell like future, filled with a nightmarish vision of ‘fire’ and ‘blood’. Priestley experienced war first hand, so some suspect that what he saw in wartime influenced the Inspector’s final speech.