The Inspector Flashcards
How is the inspector described in his intoduction
‘he need not be a big man but he creates at once an ‘’ impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness’
‘speaks carefully, weightily’
What initial quote shows how The Inspector believes that everyone and everything is connected
‘Because what happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her then may have driven her to suicide, a chain of events’
How is the Inspector a foil to Mr Birling
He has strong socialist ideals (as Priestley’s mouthpiece)
When Borling says ‘if you done come down sharply on some of these people they’d soon be asking for the earth’
The inspector responds
‘But after all its better to ask for the earth than to take it’
Contrast also shown in their introductions
The inspector ‘need not be a big man but at once creates an impression of massiveness’ and speaks ‘carefully, weightily’
Mr Birling is ‘portentous’ and ‘rather provincial in his speech’
The Inspectors final speech - quotes
‘millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and john smiths’ → huge number of working class suffering
(Polysemdeton)↑
‘We dont live alone. We are members of one body’ → emphasises society and the importance of working together to function. If one limb doesnt work society will collapse
(Anaphora)↑
‘will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish’ → biblical language (idea of hell) → reminds a 1945 audience of WW 1 / 2
‘Their suffering and chance of happiness’ → highlights the pian that could be for everyone
‘All intertwined with our lives’ → makes the reader feel responsible + creates sympathy
How does Priestley use the inspector
He uses the inspector to methodically expose the cruel and unfair actions / attitudes of the upper class
This is signally by the change in lights before the inspector enters they are ‘Pink and intimate’ , but turn to ‘bright and hard’
He is Priestley’s mouthpiece - advocating for a better world for everyone
How to the reader is it suggested that the Inspector is not real
His name is Goole a synonym for ghoul, suggesting he is intangible and also of a supernatural nature.
This also suggests that he represents a force of truth and the fact that the truth will always come out
He seems to have a type of omniscience, he doesnt convict the Birlings of any crime, only exposes their immoral actions
