Inspector Goole is a strong and confident character in the play. When he walks in ‘he creates an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness’. Priestley chooses to describe Goole is this manner to make the audience and the characters in the play feel intimidated by his presence. His solidity is seen through out the play, especially when the characters break down. The inspector is very cold and does not give out any emotional support when the characters break down.
His commanding and authoritative nature is used in a confident and effective way. This helps the play to move on positively. For example, Priestley uses the inspector to make the order of events run in an understandable and not confusing way. Which in a way sounds unrealistic but the inspector makes it realistic.
With his authoritative characteristic there is also a dominant part of him, cutting in while they talk several times. We see this in stage directions, ‘cutting through massively’, ‘with authority’. He uses his power to take charge of the characters, helping the storyline move along.
Arthur Birling is a very contrasting character, his beliefs are opposite of what Priestley’s are. Arthur Birling believes in two things, high profits, low costs. He is full of pride and is a hard-headed snobbish man- who believes money is everything. His arrogance is seen clearly by the audience when he attempts to intimidate and frighten the inspector by telling him that Colonel Roberts ‘is an old friend’. Inspector Goole’s solidity remains- neither is he intimidated nor frightened of Birling.
Priestley cleverly uses the inspector’s dialogue to make the other characters puzzled. He uses the character’s opinions and then throws it back in their face when their loved ones are involved. For example when Mrs Birling condemns the father of Eva’s baby, ‘he ought to be dealt with very severely’. The inspector uses their own comments to weaken them. When Mrs Birling realises that Eric is the father, she is ‘distressed’ and ‘agitated’. This is a very good plot which Priestley has used- he manages to get a family to condemn each other.
Goole’s dialogue is harsh and blunt often in the play, he describes the feelings of Eva deeply- helping the Birling’s to feel guilty. Such as ‘she died in misery and agony hating life’- this depressing line makes Sheila feel more guilty and remorseful. However, normally when someone is guilty they deserve it- but Inspector Goole is a complex character and when it is suggested that Sheila leave the room- he refuses. ‘She’ll be alone with responsibility’, this shows us Priestley's views on social responsibility- we live together as one body and we should look after one another.
Inspector Goole is a unique character, he wants the Birling's to feel guilty but ironically wants them to help each other out of guilt. This shows the strength of Priestley's views on responsibility. He shows the Birling's that they should look after each other before another incident like Eva Smith’s could occur. He talks about sharing even if it is ‘sharing our guilt’. The solidity of his views is seen here.
The inspector is different from other police inspectors he seems more omniscient and moralistic. He is more worried about morals than who is to blame. He believes it is never too late to change, we see an example of this in his leaving speech. ‘If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish’. This is a very powerful line which relates to his authenticity. He says that everyone will learn their lesson whether it be here or not. What does he mean? If Priestley was a religious man he may have indicated this as hell.
At the end of the play we see a borderline of views between the generations; the older generation seem to be pleased that it was hoax- but how coincidental. The younger generation, Sheila and Eric, have learnt that they should be more socially responsible. The opinions of Mr and Mrs Birling towards socialists are very harsh, several times they are identified as ‘socialist cranks’.
At the end of the play we are aware that the inspector was not a real inspector. This leaves the audience to ponder on ideas of who he could be. He may have been someone sent by God, hence how he describes hell ‘fire and blood and anguish’. Who was the inspector?
Priestley makes this play effective by leaving a cliff hanger at the end of the play making the audience wonder who he was and where he came from.
In conclusion the main role of the inspector was to be a catalyst, and to lead the story in the right direction. His other aim was to present Priestley’s views and make the characters feel remorseful.
