'An Inspector Calls' is a play by J B Priestley, which was written at the end of World War 2 but is set in 1912, just before W

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Analyse the role of the Inspector in J.B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’

‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play by J B Priestley, which was written at the end of World War 2 but is set in 1912, just before World War 1.  The plot centres on a prosperous family of the time, the Birlings, who are gathered around the dinner table celebrating the engagement of their daughter, Sheila, to Mr Gerald Croft.  Into their cosy and complacent world crashes Inspector Goole, who is the central character of the play.  He brings news which affects all of the family in different ways, and manipulates them to reveals things which they would rather not be known.  By the time he leaves the family has been changed forever.

The Birling family are typical of an upper class wealthy family at the time the play is set, the early part of the 1900s.   In the early part of the play, before the Inspector arrives, we are introduced to the characters and begin to form an idea of what they are like.  Mr Birling is shown to be a smug businessman, who likes to voice his opinions.  He says to the family:  “you’ll hear some people say that war’s inevitable.  And to that I say – fiddlesticks!”  This is ironic because we know that in fact World War 1 started in 1914, two years later.  He also talks about the Titanic which is due to sail in the next few days: “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”.  These comments make him look rather a fool because he is expressing opinions on things which later were proved to be untrue.  We also find out that he has typical Capitalist views of the time, and is selfish in the way that he believes that the important things in life are himself, his family and his business affairs: “But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else” We know that Priestley is a Socialist, believing in equality and fairness, and that people should help each other in life.  One of the roles of the Inspector is to put these views across, and to put down the Capitalist way of life as shown by the Birlings.  Mrs Birling can be seen to be a snob, and is described as “rather cold”.  Their children, Sheila and Eric, appear by the way they speak to be spoilt and selfish and rather immature.  Gerald Croft is described as a “well-bred young man about town”.

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The Inspector enters after the Birlings have finished their meal, and just as Mr Birling is talking about how he feels life should be: “ – that a man has to mind his own business and to look after himself and his own – and – “ It is significant that the Inspector makes his appearance at this point, just when Mr Birling is in full flow with his Capitalist views.  His arrival has an enormous impact on the play, changing the mood completely.  He is described as creating “an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”    From the ...

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