The Inspector Flashcards
Omnipotent
Definition:
An unstoppable force
The inspector reinforces his power and authority over the rich - the social hierarchy doesn’t restrict him, challenges this. He doesn’t cower to the Birlings.
Tenacious
Definition: someone who is relentless and stubborn about things
Doesn’t let Birlings take control, makes them all confess to the truth
‘One line of inquiry at a time’
Omniscient
All knowing - someone or thing that knows everything going on
Add tension, foresees the future but forces characters to expose their sins with this power (responsibility)
Ubiquitous
Someone or thing that is ever-present
Intimidating, after he leaves Sheila becomes mouthpiece - impressionable conscience
Vicarious(ly)
Acting for someone else or being a substitute
Priestley becomes Inspector, who becomes Sheila - shows the impressionable nature of socialism (inspiring)
Unorthodox
Doesn’t conform to rules or expectations
Challenges capitalist views and social hierarchy/authority. Not a typical inspector, who should be impartial.
‘I don’t play golf’
Recalcitrant
Someone who does what they want and is unruly
Intrudes into home and distressed characters unapologetically
Omnipresent
Being present everywhere all of the time
Morality and message stays with the family, universal socialist view
Systematic
Working in a logical or ordered way
Shows photos in a particular way so that he is in control of the outcome
Conventional view
• proxy for Priestley’s views
• final speech - ‘one Eva Smith has gone, but there are millions and millions and millions’
•capitalist idea of men looking after their own is contrasted with ‘we don’t live alone’
Christianity = socialism
• 80% of the audience would have been Christian
• therefore Priestley connects socialism and Christianity to appear more popular
• ‘we are members of one body’ - deliberate echo of the communion
• biblical allusion would have been recognisable and many would have accepted this teaching, even as capitalists
• much more persuasive than simple politics - the only moral, Christian society MUST be socialist
Inspector promoting an anti-war play
• final speech, ‘fire and blood and anguish’
• prediction is a description of both wars
• making a direct link between capitalism and the desire for war
• war is an economic consequence of capitalism
• ‘lesson’ is that in order to expand markets and defeat competition, British will go to war against its main economic rival, Germany
• devastating consequences - lost sons (who were officers) willing to sacrifice sons for money
