Inspector tor Goole functions as a mouthpiece for Priestley’s ideas. What is his function? How does Priestley present him?
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley is a play with lots of political messages. Priestley believed in socialism and it is clear to the audience that he used ‘an inspector calls’ to try and convince people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when a Labour government ruled Britain and socialist policies were starting to be seen by many and used in society. However, it is set in a time were this is the opposite. The main device Priestley uses to convey his socialist ideas is the character of the inspector.
Priestley starts to use the inspector as a ‘mouthpiece’ straight form his introduction. As the inspector enters he creates “…at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.” this impression continues as he progresses through his speeches and through his interrogation of the family. The Inspector remains confident, calm and composed, while people around him fall to pieces. His ”solidity” is proven by the fact he remains on task despite the attempts of others, such as Birling to detract from the points he is making. The Inspector is told to appear “purposeful” in the stage directions. This is shown where he explains to Birling that his way of thinking “Every man must only look out for himself,” is not the case, and everyone is interlinked. The view is best portrayed in the Inspectors final speech, where he says, “We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” This idea is one that Priestley, himself believed in deeply, and many of Priestley’s writing shared this very theme.
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A well-structured response which uses some very good examples and quotations to support its points. Most of these quotations are embedded and are relevant to the argument put forward. Although a clear link is made between the Inspector and Priestley's political views, many of the points are capable of being explored and developed further. There is a need to proof-read in order to amend errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.