This essay will explore the functions of inspector Goole in the play "An inspector calls" and the techniques uses to express the views of the playwright.

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What is the function of Inspector Goole in J.B Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls'?

Introduction

This essay will explore the functions of inspector Goole and the techniques he uses.

This essay will explore the functions of inspector Goole in the play "An inspector calls" and the techniques uses to express the views of the playwright.

Tm he play "An inspector calls" was written at the end of world war two by J.B Priestley who was a socialist. The new labour government proposed a National Health Service. At the end of world war two women started getting more equal rights because during world war two, women did most of the work that men did, so they were accepted to do jobs because they did most of the work. The play was set in 1912 because J.B Priestley wanted the audience to support the socialist government so people could build a better future through social responsibility.

The inspector's character in the play is used to examine the lives of Birling family which is wealthy and find faults in the class system. This shows how all of the members are involved in the downfall of Eva Smith a young women who is treated unfairly and lack of social responsibility in the working class. Then eventually is driven to secede due to their selfish and arrogant attitudes.

The functions of inspector Goole are revealed in his physical appearance. The inspector Goole is described in the stage directions as

,"(...The inspector need not to be a big man but creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness, he speaks carefully ,weightily and has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person before actually speaking)",

The inspector is not bothered about the social class he is not intimidated and not afraid of the wealth and status of the family. This gives an impression of a powerful man, Inspector Goole use these techniques like closely examining them to get to the bottom of the situation.

Similarly the lighting changes when he arrives showing that the characters and their privileged ways of life is under scrutiny.

,"(...Inspector's arrival, lighting becomes 'brighter and harder'...), Priestley uses this way to create tension in the play for the Birling family and the audience. This makes the mood dramatically change.

The Inspector carries out an investigation like a ' whodunit ' by using certain techniques to interrogate the family. One of his techniques is questioning the characters one by one ,"... One person and one line of enquiry at a time...", Inspector Goole uses this technique to treat the Birling family as murder suspects, by questioning them one by one. He also does this because he wants to get to the bottom of the situation so it's quicker to question them one by one and so the inspector knows their role in Eva Smith's death and the audience understands the role also. By doing this he makes the Birlings feel uncomfortable and confused which also allows him to keep in control.
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Inspector Goole is not concerned about the social class of the family Mr. Birling says," Perhaps I ought to warn you he's chief constable and good friend of mine and that I see him fairly frequently...", Mr. Birling is trying to threaten the inspector Goole by saying he knows the chief constable, but this don't bother Inspector Goole because he wants to get to the bottom of this situation and the inspector is not intimidated because of the Birling family's social status and wealth. J.B Priestley is trying to show that even the wealthy have to be accountable ...

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