Inspector Goole

Question 1

opening stage directions

“he need not be a big man but creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”

Answer 1

• shows the omniscient nature of the inspector
• his presence and demeanor are extremely unsettling

Question 2

ACT 1

“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.”

Answer 2

• directly addressing mr birling, very menacing tone
• declarative evokes an emotionless, dull tone
• shows inspector as a mouthpiece for priestley

Question 3

ACT 2

“You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.”

Answer 3

• inspector coolly uses mrs birling’s personal experience to evoke guilt

Question 4

ACT 1

“It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it.”

Answer 4

• inspector defends the working class
• compares birling to the working class -> birling is greedy and would rather ‘take the earth’ then ask for it, whereas his employees simply ask.

Question 5

ACT 3

“We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”

Answer 5

• Priestley’s mouthpiece
• contrasts with Birling’s message of ‘every man for himself’