At first, the other characters are completely unaware of the Inspector’s purpose within the play, as though they don’t realise there is something to hide from. However, this arrogance and disregard for others is soon transformed, as they become conscious of the brutal truth of what they have done. Sheila and Eric become vividly changed, whereas the somewhat stubborn Mr and Mrs Birling remain seemingly callous within their original Capitalist views: – but even with their supposed ‘unchanged opinions’, the effect of Inspector Goole steel haunts them, as all the characters will never be the same.
The overall impression that surrounds Inspector Goole throughout the whole play is that of mystery and superior presence. This notion is partly created by the Inspector’s manner but also his name, ‘Goole’, which is obviously an inference to mythical creatures of the medieval times, by the name of ‘Ghouls’. This similarity could just be a mere coincidence, but I think it is a metaphor, used to describe the Inspector’s mystical character in short. – Ghouls by legend are mysterious, magical creatures that are associated with death; and through this comparison, (plus the Inspector’s style of just appearing with immediate authority), the same can be said about him. – Priestley ultimately wanted to create a presence of “massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” (directional notes, Act one) and through the Inspector's deliberate name, manner and timing, he has created just that.
Paragraph 4 – The Inspector’s function as a Protagonist – 1st Re-Draft
The most influential role of the Inspector and perhaps the most crucial in setting up his political authority within the play, is his imminent function as a ‘Protagonist’. In this role, Priestley has allowed the Inspector’s character to immediately hold power and influence over the plot, thus giving him enough status to later deliver a political opinion to the audience.
The first indication of the great power Inspector Goole has within the play, is only given upon his entrance into the plot, as it is then and only then, that the main proceedings are allowed to unfold. The audience is instantly left in suspense as they await the Inspector’s motive for coming to the Birling household on such a joyous occasion. - Although he immediately reveals his intentions: “I’d like some information, if you don’t mind”(The Inspector, Act one), they know he wants more. This mere ‘information’ is all too trivial for Priestley to make such an atmosphere around the Inspector and thus, it is not viewed upon as just a light-hearted inquiry, but far more. The audience realises that the Inspector has immense power – even enough to disrupt people of higher class; therefore they know he is here to reveal something life changing - something important, and they won’t stop watching until they find out exactly what.
Throughout the play, Inspector Goole is the dominating character, as he leads the proceedings through immense interrogation. Every action he takes part in changes the reactions of the other characters, as he continually delivers Priestley’s socialist opinion across to the audience. Before the Inspector enters though, Mr. Birling fulfils this role, as he roams through the dominion of a middle-class celebration, in flare of his true Capitalist mind. However, Birling’s power is only temperamental, as it is immediately transferred to the Inspector as soon as he arrives into the plot. This switching of power and purpose between Inspector Goole and Mr Birling upsets the overall equilibrium of the play. The contrast of reign is thus shown vividly, as the pretentious calm of Capitalist wealth is rapidly morphed into the blunt truth of socialism. Priestley emphasises this change in mood specifically in his directional notes at the beginning of Act One:
“The Lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder” (Directional notes).
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This change in light signifies the transferral of power between characters, but also the transformation of the plot’s tone. It shows that during Inspector Goole’s entrance, the barrier of higher-class wealth does not matter, as he holds the power where no one can hide. ‘Light’ in religious terms is a symbol for truth, and I think that this ‘brighter’ light in the directional notes is a sign of the honesty in Inspector Goole, as Priestley shows the Inspector’s beliefs to be pure and genuine.
Later on in the plot, after the Inspector has left, the other characters are close to restoring the equilibrium to how it previously was. They try to gain power back and delude themselves into thinking that the Inspector’s existence was merely a hoax:
“There isn’t any such Inspector. We’ve been had.” (Gerald, Act three).
The characters are purely interested in just their own statuses and therefore, try to make up excuses of why Inspector Goole’s testament is not valid, so that in the end they can go about their lives, un-affected. However, the Inspector’s power was so great and commanding, that Sheila and Eric are transformed and therefore, can not let the Inspector’s morals go on forgotten. In the end, they stand up for what they believe, and in agreement with the Inspector they allow his reign to have justice until the very end - the equilibrium of which, does not return.
Paragraph 5 – The Inspector’s function as a Narrator – 1st Re-draft
The most obscure role of Inspector Goole, and probably the most crucial in terms of creating suspense within the play, is his dramatic function as ‘Narrator’. In this role, the Inspector is used to report all events that take place in the plot, as he indirectly reveals the truth behind Eva Smith’s death. -Ultimately he keeps the audience on track with the play’s events, and thus is used by Priestley to relay the narration in full, whilst at the same time, creating immense tension among the audience the whole way through the play.
The Inspector’s specific style of narration, is one that is used to arouse tension within the plot and in-turn, keep the audience attentive the whole way through. In this form of narration, the Inspector holds back vital information, as he slowly interrogates the characters one by one - each time, accusing them, until eventually he reveals each segment of the story to the audience:
“It’s the way I like to work. One person and one line of inquiry at a time.”
(Inspector Goole, Act one)
The Inspector shows that his method of working is chronological; - the style of narration thus creates suspense, as the audience wants the information all in one go and can’t bare to wait any longer. The increasing and decreasing pace makes the narration more exciting, as his continuous interrogation makes the audience tense with apprehension. The audience doesn’t know who is involved and what specific parts they play, and this lack of information creates immense suspense, as they wait for the Inspector to reveal the truth, ‘one by one’.
At the beginning of the play, the Inspector controls the interrogations with all power, as his narration is calm and smooth. However, this eventually transforms during the course of the plot and near the end, his mood becomes irritable and impatient. This sudden change in mental state is triggered off by the immature and selfish attitudes of Mr and Mrs Birling, who refuse to co-operate and instead, just quarrel and lie. The Inspector knows they are being untruthful and becomes enraged:
“You’re not telling me the truth” (Inspector Goole, end of Act two).
He at this point is so angry with them due to their un-repentance, that he loses his cool. Their un-truthfulness disrupts his prompt narration process, thus causing him to change his mood and force them to tell the story correctly. The audience knows at this point that the Inspector is already fully aware of everything that went on with Eva Smith, and that his only reason for coming to the Birling household, is so that the other characters too become informed. This fact creates a massive suspicion among the audience as they wonder why he is acting so unprofessionally and with all emotion over just a simple inquiry. His continuous narration at first seems as just part of the normal interrogation, but as the plot unfolds, the Inspector’s desire for justice starts to take over, as it is made apparent that the Inspector has more of an attachment to the case than he first let out. Despite this obvious emotion though, the Inspector keeps his cunning standpoint and thus is placed as a ‘hero’ icon among the audience, as they gain an immense respect for his empathy and ingenious narration throughout the play.
Paragraph 6– The Inspector’s function as a social/ political commentator –
1st Re-draft
Within the play, the biggest and most influential role of the Inspector is his profound function as a social and political commentator. In this position, Priestley has expressed his own comments about the society we live in, and through the Inspector’s contrast, the beliefs of social equality to the audience. The Inspector is thus continually used to pose as a representative for many different ideologies, and is fundamentally used to represent the once-thought ‘fairness’ in socialism of the 20th Century.
Within this political role, Priestley has used Inspector Goole to question that of the Capitalist society, as he enforces all power over the money-bound arrogance of the Birling family. - Continually he questions their Capitalist motives, whilst at the same time, showing that he believes their only substance is that of arrogance, greed and prejudice. With this being the case, in Act one, Priestley shows his contempt for this political standing, as in response to Gerald saying that the Birling’s are “respectable citizens and not criminals”, the Inspector say’s:
“Sometimes there isn’t as much difference as you think. Often, if it was left to me, I wouldn’t know where to draw the line” (Inspector Goole, Act one)
Through this comment, Priestley shows that he has an immense doubt over the Capitalist point of view. He shows that he thinks all the results of it’s ugly nature are nothing but ‘criminal’, and that issues resulting from it, such as sexual inferiority, the obvious difference in class, and lack of self-worth, are all wrong, and that the people who abide in it’s system, are convicts, - all but in name. In my opinion, he shows that the corrupt deeds that take place behind closed doors are nothing but depraved, and that the Capitalist society is an immoral tool, used to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Ultimately, he shows that Capitalism and everyone who stand in agreement with it are wrong and that they themselves are illicit, just by being in allegiance with such a corrupt system.
The Inspector, being a puppet for Priestley’s intentions, is biased throughout the play towards the political view of Socialism. -This belief; originally brought about to bring equal opportunities to everyone, is a political opinion, worlds away from the unfairness of the Capitalist society today. It consists of sharing and looking after one another, in the unison of agreement under a free and equal right to life. The Inspector, who has been used to firmly deliverer this belief, shows his attachment, even in his conversations with the Birling’s:
“You see we have to share something. If there’s nothing else, we have to share our guilt.”
(Inspector- Goole, Act two).
Through this, Priestley has used the Inspector to show that no one can live their life in the sole aim to please themselves and that eventually, sharing (a form of equality) has to be done, even if it is with such an intimate feeling as guilt. This ‘sharing’ is one of the basic elements of Socialism and through this statement and many more, the Inspector just reinforces his desire for peace and community. The play was written just after the Second World War had ended and the Labour Government were taking steps to bring the standard of lower-class living up. With this in mind, Priestley has used this Socialist standing about the Inspector, to put forward a message to the audience that they must not let Capitalism pull Society back to the unfair state it was before. Through many statements like these and the ever-present contrast to the Birling family, he shows how greed can destroy lives, and thus is ultimately used by Priestley to show that these kind of situations must stop – and must do, for good.
The characters who are used to oppose Inspector Goole’s political standpoint and show the uncaring sides of Capitalism, are that of Gerald, Mr Birling and Mrs Birling. From the beginning of the play they are used to build up walls against the Inspector’s claims, as they deem the life of Eva Smith ‘un-important’. They are continually used to act as corrupt ambassadors for the Capitalist belief, as they arrogantly refuse to accept any the responsibility for their actions, (as shown by Mrs Birling below):
“I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it all.”
(Mrs Birling, Act two).
This is only one of the many comments where these three characters have shown no exceptence for their vicious acts. Instead of repenting, they just pass the blame on and experience no remorse for the part they played in causing the innocent girl to die. Their only cares focus on their own statuses and how they themselves will be affected in the end. This harsh exterior and no compassion causes the audience to resent the three characters and in-turn, the beliefs they stand for. Priestley, who has used their disgusting behaviour for effect, wants the audience to ultimately detest these characters and thus, be totally against the seemingly ‘corrupt’ political opinions that drive their cruelty.
Even with these characters that show no response to the Inspector’s morals, there are two who become rapidly changed throughout the plot. Sheila and Eric become briskly transformed, as their young ignorance matures into the social awareness that causes them to except the terrible acts as ‘their fault’. This prompt transformation is first shown in both characters at the end of the play, when the others try to write off the Inspector as a mere hoax. Sheila and Eric, who show that the Inspector has touched their lives, can’t let anyone forget his message, as they stand up for what they believe:
“You’re beginning to pretend now that nothings happened at all. And I can’t see it like that….” (Eric, Act - three). “That’s just the way I feel, Eric. And it’s what they don’t seem to understand.”
(Sheila, Act three).
Sheila and Eric feel extremely guilty for what they have done and even when the others try to pretend that nothing has happened, they know something has. They show a compassion for Eva Smith and seek repentance, for they know what they did was wrong. This fact of remorse causes the audience to empathise with their character and thus feel a certain amount of respect, as they have witnessed them prevail through ignorance and ultimately except the truth. Inspector Goole shows that the younger generations cast a sign of hope and thus, can be inspired and used to fulfill great causes. - Like Sheila and Eric’s susceptibility to unified equality in this story, Priestley hopes that younger people all over the world will also take the initiative to improve life, so that we no longer live our existence by greed and capital, but by the basic joy of humanity’s diversity alone.
Before the Inspector leaves the plot, he delivers Priestley’s fundamental opinion to the audience very directly. In this, he conveys a final speech, in which he shows an immense compassion towards the issue being discussed. He explains that whatever social or political background we come form, that it is our duty in life to help those in less-fortunate positions, and with no doubt whatsoever, he shows that we cannot just disregard the facts at hand, but that we are to embrace every situation with our arms open-wide:
“But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hope and fears, their sufferings and chances of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.” (Inspector Goole, Act three).
This phrase means many things, and on the surface, is just a moral conclusion to sum up how we should look after each other; but when searched much deeper, Priestley shows how life needs to change on a much larger scale. - For instance, this final message could describe how in Society, wealthy upper-classes need to look after those in lower-class poverty. It could also describe how nationally; stronger social groups need to become more aware of their exact effect on the vulnerable targets within the community. But when seen on a much broader height, it could also describe how internationally; stronger super-powers need to take in consideration the authority and equal rights of the smaller countries they tend to exploit. - All of these possible scenarios, with whatever circumstance they may have, simply describe Priestley's ultimate intentions for the play to deliver. He uses the Inspector to employ his thoughts on social-awareness for the very last time, thus explaining that in every situation, whether it be global, national or personal, that our fundamental requirement is to look after others, thus ultimately avoiding the inevitable “fire, blood and anguish” that he talks about in his speech.
I totally fall in agreement with what Priestley has used the Inspector to say about the political forefront of things. Although I am not a socialist like he is, I do think that we, as a body of intertwined lives, need to be sensitive to those in less fortunate situations and thus offer help, rather than just ignoring matters in the interest of our own good. In every circumstance, I think that we need to act with full reflection on the consequences of what we say and do, in the aim to avoid conflict of any kind in the future. Priestley was obviously a man who cared about the value of people over that of material objects, and in this issue, so am I.
Paragraph 7 – The Inspector’s function as an Educator – 1st Re-draft
The last, but probably the most fundamental role in influencing the audience, is Inspector Goole’s dramatic function as an Educator. In this position, Priestley has used the Inspector’s character to educate the audience along side the rest of the characters, as he teaches them about the truth behind the Society. He shows that the class denominations are nothing but discriminative tools used to separate people and that the greedy ways of money are nothing but immoral and corrupt.
The Inspector’s most important act of educating is his continuous focus on the Capitalist opinion. He uses this to reveal the many faults within the political standing and thus ultimately deter the audience away from it. In much detail, he shows the belief to be prejudice, unfair and greedy; so much so, that even the Capitalist Mr Birling wont raise the wages for something as important as Eva Smith’s survival. This scenario, only an example of the many prejudices within Capitalism, is an obvious outrage and thus, Priestley has used the Inspector to comment about it:
“it’s better to ask for the Earth than to take it” (Inspector Goole, Act one)
Through this, the Inspector shows that on the surface it is more justified for Eva Smith to ask for higher wages than it is for Mr Birling to roam through life thinking that he can have everything. This in wider terms shows that Priestley is firmly against the Capitalist supporters who believe that they are the centre of the World’s existence, and that eventually their arrogance is no better than the ‘impertinent’ people who ask to share a tiny portion of their wealth. Capitalism is therefore shown to be a selfish, non-compassionate system, and thus Priestley educates the audience against it, advising them that it is certainly not a method to run anyone’s life by.
The character who has learnt the most from Inspector Goole’s presence in the play, is that of Sheila Birling. Sheila transforms within the plot, from her high-class, oblivious state of ignorance, into a wise young lady, with esteem and full opinions of her own. Through the Inspector’s deliverance she learns that the ways of her previous existence were totally wrong and that she can longer ignore those in need, but that she has to embrace her obligation in playing a much larger part in the active community of life. She becomes completely transformed and so, lets all the other characters know of her knew-found education:
“…I remember what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish” (Sheila Birling, Act three)
Sheila shows that the Inspector has had such an effect on her life, that she will never be able to forget the way he made her feel. She is now aware of the truth behind the Capitalist society and thus, readily repents and admits her obvious fault in following the corrupt system. She is extremely remorseful and apologetic, as she now knows that the Society she so ignorantly thrived upon, is nothing but a discriminative weapon against equality and peace. Sheila is shown to no longer feel as part of the upper-class dominion, and in true rebellion of her Parent’s views, she partly takes over the Inspector’s role in educating, thus trying to show them of what they too must learn.
Through the Inspector’s continuous education of the Capitalist system and Sheila’s profound transformation through it, I think the audience will also be educated before they leave the Theatre. They will learn, just like Sheila did, that the Capitalist system is insincere and that it’s only aim is to give the ‘dishonest’ power over the poor. This moral will be learnt by an audience of today and was learnt in 1945, when the play was first performed; although the reactions from each era will have varied. In 1945, the World War had just come to an end and the results of extreme Capital ignorance will have still been fresh within everyone’s minds, thus the Inspector’s message would have immediately been put in context. However, with an audience of today, a reaction and education still would have been obtained, but with much more of a moral emphasise than political, due to the lack of politicisation and the class denominations being less obvious within society. – Therefore, I think that the morals will still remain relevant, regardless of the period of time and the audiences listening to them, although their exact effect of education will differ slightly.
Paragraph 8 – Conclusion – 1st Re-draft
Overall, when stripped down to the basic elements of the play, Inspector Goole is nothing but a mere devise used to convey Priestley’s political opinion across to the audience. In every action he takes part in, this is reinforced, as he brings the refreshing contrast of socialism into the previous dominion of a Capitalist world. His character stands as a symbol for many different levels and fundamentally represents the hope of equality in a class-dominated society, thus conveyed through his four dramatic functions within the play.
