Inspector Goole/ Mr Birling
Before the Inspectors arrival the family seems strong and happy. The men are confident which sets a very positive atmosphere. In the early years of last century, Arthur Birling is holding a family dinner party to celebrate his daughter’s engagement. Into this cosy and happy scene intrudes a police inspector called Inspector Goole. He is apparently investigating the suicide of a young working class woman and under the pressure of his interrogation every member of the family turns out to have a shameful secret that links them to her death. The inspector’s role in the play is vital in creating suspense for example, when the Inspector enters the home of the Birlings the lighting changes dramatically from pink and intermit to bright and very harsh light. The main character in this play is inspector Goole; he also makes an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the time period. He speaks carefully, weightily, and has a habit of staring hard at the person he is addressing before speaking. He grows and remains very solid when every other character breaks down. He also uses the information he holds to create an impression of someone who is both an outsider and an omniscient (know it all), this makes him look powerful and mysterious. On the arrival of the inspector, he seems like a regular inspector, and the Birlings don’t seem to act as if much is wrong. When the inspector addresses Mr Birling he is quite polite “thank you, sir”. This suggests that he is a very manner able person. The inspector takes his job seriously “no, thank you. I’m on duty”. This suggests that he is a very responsible, trustworthy and respectable person.
Mr. Birling has a few jokes with the inspector, expecting he was just there because of trouble with a warrant “well, what can I do for you? Some trouble about a warrant?” The inspector replies “No, Mr Birling”. At this point Mr.Birling is becoming impatient. “Well, what is it then?”
Here the inspector gradually builds up tension; he then gives the idea that they are being questioned on the death of a young woman. “I’d like some information, if you don’t mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died in the infirmary. She’d been taken there this afternoon because she’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant”. Here the inspector explains his purpose for being in their home.
Sheila Birling
The inspector addresses Sheila in a very calm way to begin with. The inspector makes Sheila feel guilty, by being very suggestive and intimidating. “All she knew was- that a customer had complained about her- and so she had to go”. At this point Sheila is slightly worried because she remembers complaining about a young girl. “What – what did this girl look like?”
The inspector shows her the photograph Sheila recognises it, sheds a tear and runs out. This is a dramatised part of the play.
The inspector tells Sheila that he had and idea that it’s was her “I had an idea that it might be – from something the girl herself wrote.”
Sheila felt that at the time she did nothing wrong.
Mrs Birling
When dealing with Mrs Birling, the inspector first shows her the picture of the girl although Mrs Birling feels she has no reason to se it. “I don’t see any particular reason why I should.” Next Mrs Birling shows her stubborn side by refusing to admit that she recognises the girl. She becomes very rude when she says “I beg your pardon!”
The inspector does not portray a very caring attitude towards Mrs Birling’s status. “Don’t you stammer and yammer at me again, man. I’m losing all patients with you people, what did she say?” the inspector starts to become quite angry so he starts to become quite arrogant.
This scene is dramatic when the inspector starts to lose his temper and comes across as rude.
The scene is brought to a climax when Mrs Birling realises that the father of Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton’s child might be her son Eric. “But surely… I mean… it’s ridiculous.” Mrs. Birling is finally starting to understand.
Eric Birling
The entrance of Eric on stage in Act 3is particularly dramatic when the inspector takes control as the relationship between Eric and Mr Birling becomes quite tense. “Stop! And be quiet for a moment and listen to me…”
Eric and Mrs Birling are also creating a tension between themselves.” Then- you killed her.” Eric makes his mother feel very guilty about what she’s done.
“No-Eric –please – I dint know- I didn’t understand-”
Eric confessed to stealing money from the office. “I got it – from the office- .” Mr Birling thought that the best thing Eric should have done was to come to him for help. “Why didn’t you come to me when you found yourself in this mess?” Eric reassures him that he’s not the type of father you can turn to in times of trouble. “Because you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble – that’s why.”
The inspector says that they can settle their disagreement when he’s gone. “You’ll be able to divide the responsibility between you when I’ve gone”.
Conclusion
Overall, I think that there was a lot of dramatic tension the play.
