The Inspector Flashcards
What does the Inspector’s arrival signify?
As he interrupts Birling’s speech about capitalist ideas it suggests the idea that he will teach things that oppse that idea, like joint responsibility and the ways of socialism
What is one of the messages that he spreads?
The message that everyone should respect eachother regardless of class.
“We are all members of one body”
What is one of his qualities? (hint: omnis_____)
Omniscient. He is all seeing therefore he can work his way through all of the confessions of each family member.
“Of course he knows. And i hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet”
Can relate to the foreshadowing of the war: “fire and blood and anguish”
What one of the Inspector’s many qualities? (hint: omnip_____)
Omnipotent. The Inspector is all powerful. He resembles a real police inspector, yet all the qualities are enhanced. therefore he is not intimidated by Birling: “Don’t stammer and yammer at me man. I’m losing all patience with you people.”
More examples of his power include:
“They will be taught in fire and blood and anguish” and
“that’s what I meant when I talked about building a wall that’s sure to be knocked down”- this leads the Birlings and Croft into a confession.
What does Inspector Goole introduce?
He introdces socialism to both the family and the audience. The younger generaton (Sheila and Eric) are more understanding of the socialist ideas so much so that Sheila adopts the role of the Inspector shortly after he leaves.
“We often do on the young ones. They’re more impressionable.”
How is he described at the beginning of the play?
He is described on his entrance as creating “an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking. “
How does he work?
He works very systematically; he likes to deal with “one person and one line of enquiry at a time.” His method is to confront a suspect with a piece of information and then make them talk - or, as Sheila puts it, “he’s giving us the rope - so that we’ll hang ourselves.”
How is he a figure of authority?
He deals with each member of the family very firmly and several times we see him “massively taking charge as disputes erupt between them.”
He is not impressed when he hears about Mr Birling’s
influential friends and he cuts through Mrs Birling’s obstructiveness.
What does he know?
He knows the history of Eva Smith and the Birlings’ involvement in it, even though she died only hours ago. Sheila tells Gerald, “Of course he knows.”
He knows things are going to happen - He says “I’m waiting…To do my duty” just before Eric’s return, as if he expected Eric to reappear at exactly that moment
What is his final speech like?
His final speech is like a sermon or a politician’s. He leaves the family with the message “We are responsible for each other” and warns them of the “fire and blood and anguish” that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them.
