INSPECTOR GOOLE quotes

Question 1

• Wont be distracted/refrained from communicating his morals/beliefs.
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• ‘massiveness’ demonstrates power and imposing presence that the Inspector has.
• ‘Solidity’ implies a sense of reassurance & stability.

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• Inspector Goole = Incarnation of Socialism –> this is what Priestley believes socialism is.

Answer 1

“creates an impression of massiveness, solidity
and purposefulness.” - (Act 2)

Question 2

• Golf is seen as an elite game for privileged upper classes.
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• His dislike of the game implies his dislike of their opulent lifestyle.

Answer 2

“I don’t play Golf” -Inspector (Act 1)

responding to Mr B

Question 3

• Taking a socialist stance against Mr Birling’s captitalist arguments.
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• Shows the start of the Inspector trying to bring the Birlings down to earth to understand the working class.

Answer 3

“Public men have responsibilities as well as privileges.” - Inspector (Act 1)

talking to Mr Birling (Priestly sending a message to the world too)

Question 4

• Talking about the importance of social responsibility.

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* Referencing that each person is responsible for Evas death

Answer 4

“A chain of events” -Inspector

Question 5

• Suggests he is extremely well informed
  –>Presents Inspector intelligent and omniscient.

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• ‘Hate’ - this omniscience will trouble the wealthier classes. + is frightening because knowledge = power.

Answer 5

“I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet.” -Sheila (Act 1)

talking about the inspector

Question 6

• Describes Eva’s death multiple times throughtout the play - constant reminder of the severity of the situation
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• Using emotive and shockingly descriptive language
  –> wants to get through to the Birlings on an emotional level.
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• shows he is going to give the harsh but plain truth (no sugarcoating which richer classes are used to.)

Answer 6

• “Her position is that now She lies with a burnt out inside on a slab” (Act 1)

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• “But she died in misery and agony” -Inspector (Act 2)

Repetedly Talking about Eva’s death

Question 7

• Shows his method is controlled and methodical but has an important purpose
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• Isolating them during investigation helps focus on each of their individual crimes meaning they are more impactful for the individual and audience.

Answer 7

“One line of inquiry at a time” -Inspector (Act 1)

Question 8

• Use of imperatives show his assertiveness, and authority.
• and the confidence/certainty in his opinions.

Answer 8

“But each of you helped to kill her.
Remember that. Never forget it.” -Inspector (Act 3)

Question 9

• Hyperbole - exaggeration used to convey the large amoun of suffering in the world.

–>Suggests that what happened to Eva happens to ‘millions’ of other working class people just like her.

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• (Idea –> Eva Smith is an everyman trope which means she is a symbol/representative of all of these people which is why he uses her name in this example.)

Answer 9

“Millions and millions of Eva Smith and John Smiths” -Inspector (Act 3)

Eva Smith and John Smith were most common working class names of that time.

Question 10

• Last words are a warning to the Birlings & the audience.

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• ‘fire and blood and anguish’: could suggest:

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1. The hellish imagery further adds to the idea of the Inspector as an omniscient powerful figure (godlike?) –> who warns people of damnation if they don’t become better people.

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2. Foreshadowing for World War 1 and 2.

–> Priestly wrote this book when ww2 ended and wants to warn people not to go back to their old ways.

Answer 10

“they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” -Inspector (Act 3)

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