Inspector Goole - Act 1 Flashcards
(8 cards)
Edna introduces the inspector…
• Edna introduces the Inspector, displayed through “Inspector Goole”. Edna announcing the arrival of the Inspector is significant as he acts as the mouthpiece for working class individuals just like herself.
• Priestley employs the use of a homophone in the Inspector’s name, ‘Goole’, to bring to our attention the interpretation of the name as ‘Ghoul’ in that the Inspector’s words will continue to haunt the Birling family until they recognise the need to take responsibility for their actions. The placement of two ‘OO’s in ‘Goole’ is reminiscent of two eyes as the Inspector acts as a figure of surveillance.
The inspector is described as…
• The inspector is described as “need not be a big man but creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness…dress in a plain darkish suit.” The use of the phrase “creates at once an impression” conveys the idea that the inspector does not need to assert his dominance as it comes naturally to him, unlike Mr Birling. The use of the term “massiveness” highlights the fact that he creates a significant impression without being physically imposing, which demonstrates the strength of the Inspector’s values and morals above all else.
Furthermore, the use of the noun “solidity” gives the impression that he is sturdy, perhaps an individual who is unmoving in their views and therefore dependable and so likely to be trusted by the audience.
The inspector asks…
• The Inspector asks “Id like some information, if you don’t mind, Mr Birling.” This polite but authoritative request establishes the Inspector’s authority early on. Despite Mr Birling’s social standing, the Inspector subtly asserts control, conveying that his power lies in truth and justice, not class.
• Priestley uses this to undermine the traditional hierarchy, suggesting that moral authority is more important than social status.
Priestley uses the Inspector’s calm…
• Priestley uses the Inspector’s calm and composed demeanour in the line “[coolly, looking hard at him] There might be” to establish his quiet authority and begin undermining Mr Birling’s capitalist confidence. The stage direction “coolly” suggests emotional control, while “looking hard at him” conveys a silent but forceful challenge.
• The Inspector’s short, ambiguous reply directly contradicts Birling’s denial of involvement with Eva Smith, introducing doubt and increasing tension.
• His persistent and direct method of questioning, as seen here, reflects Priestley’s alignment with socialist ideologies, as the Inspector slowly dismantles the illusion of innocence upheld by those in power. This scene is one of the first indications that the Inspector will serve as a moral mouthpiece, holding each character accountable for their actions and reminding them of the need for social responsibility.
The inspector introduces…
• The Inspector introduces the idea of consequence and collective responsibility, “Because what happened to her then may have determined … A chain of events.” This line suggests that everybody’s actions will have consequences, no matter how much authority they hold. It also reflects the structure of the play itself, where each character’s guilt links like a “chain”.
• Priestley uses the Inspector in this line as a vehicle to reject the fragmented morality of the Birlings, who each try to claim that their individual actions weren’t solely responsible. He promotes a socialist view that we are all interlinked, and therefore must all bear responsibility for the well-being of others.
The inspector directly critiques Mr Birling’s dismissal…
• The Inspector directly critiques Mr Birling’s dismissal of Eva Smith’s strike, “But after all its better to ask for the earth than to take it”, subtly condemning capitalist greed. The contrast between “ask” and “take” highlights the injustice of a system where the working class must beg for basic rights while the wealthy exploit freely. Priestley utilises the Inspector as a mouthpiece to expose this imbalance, reinforcing the idea that it is not the poor who are to blame, but the powerful who refuse to take responsibility.
When Mr Birling mentions playing…
• When Birling mentions playing golf with the Chief Constable - a clear effort to intimidate the Inspector - the Inspector’s blunt response “I don’t play golf” immediately cuts through the façade of upper-class superiority. The clipped, matter-of-fact tone reflects the Inspector’s refusal to be swayed by class-based power or capitalist influence, emphasising his persistent, direct and authoritative demeanour. Priestley uses this moment to expose the emptiness of the older generation’s belief in status as protection.
The inspector criticises Sheila’s…
• The Inspector criticises Sheila’s misuse of class privilege when he points out that she “used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer and also of a man well-known in the town, to punish the girl just because she made you feel like that.” He directly confronts Sheila for her actions, exposing the abuse of power that comes with class privilege. The phrase “used the power you had” highlights Sheila’s manipulation of her social position, underlining how privilege can be weaponised to harm the vulnerable.
• Priestley aligns with socialist ideologies here, critiquing the class system that allows individuals to wield their status in ways that harm those lower on the social ladder.
