Analyse the character of Inspector Goole. Focus on his role in the play, his stage presence and how he is used by Priestly to convey his socialist message.
An Inspector Calls was written in 1945 by J.B Priestley. In the 1930s, Priestley became very concerned about the effects of social inequality in Britain. The play was set in 1912. Priestley deliberately set the play in 1912 because the date represented an era very different from the era he was writing in. Inequality was common in 1912; severe class and gender boundaries seemed to ensure nothing would change. However by 1945, things had improved. Priestley wanted to make the most of this. He used the role of the inspector to convey his didactic message.
One role of the Inspector is to be Priestley’s …show more content…
This gives us the idea of what role the inspector has. He is intimidating and the light gives us the idea of interrogation. The Inspector has a "sharp" entrance. But in contrast he is rather blunt in his manner. His role seems to be to tell the audience about the lives people in that era were living. However the power shift from Mr Birling to the Inspector show’s that he’s not only finding out their story, but telling his own. This is because he takes the lead. He’s not only listening to the Birling’s and Mr Croft’s stories but he’s also getting across his message at the same time. The “upper class” isn’t superior anymore, the Inspector is in charge. Furthermore, it shows what a powerful and willed person the inspector is and the influence he has over others. The inspector creates the “impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” as he progresses through his speeches and through his interrogation of the family. Right from his introduction the Inspector is commanding and imposing. This shows that times need to altered, he is in charge and “capitalists” have to listen to him, a
An Inspector Calls was written in 1945 by J.B Priestley. In the 1930s, Priestley became very concerned about the effects of social inequality in Britain. The play was set in 1912. Priestley deliberately set the play in 1912 because the date represented an era very different from the era he was writing in. Inequality was common in 1912; severe class and gender boundaries seemed to ensure nothing would change. However by 1945, things had improved. Priestley wanted to make the most of this. He used the role of the inspector to convey his didactic message.
One role of the Inspector is to be Priestley’s …show more content…
This gives us the idea of what role the inspector has. He is intimidating and the light gives us the idea of interrogation. The Inspector has a "sharp" entrance. But in contrast he is rather blunt in his manner. His role seems to be to tell the audience about the lives people in that era were living. However the power shift from Mr Birling to the Inspector show’s that he’s not only finding out their story, but telling his own. This is because he takes the lead. He’s not only listening to the Birling’s and Mr Croft’s stories but he’s also getting across his message at the same time. The “upper class” isn’t superior anymore, the Inspector is in charge. Furthermore, it shows what a powerful and willed person the inspector is and the influence he has over others. The inspector creates the “impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” as he progresses through his speeches and through his interrogation of the family. Right from his introduction the Inspector is commanding and imposing. This shows that times need to altered, he is in charge and “capitalists” have to listen to him, a