How is the inspector presented in An Inspector Calls?

i have written an essay for An Inspector Calls on the inspector, please could someone mark it and tell me any improvements i could make. (My exam board is eduqas so context is not required.)

How does Priestley use the character of Inspector Goole in An Inspector calls?

In Priestley's 'An Inspector calls', the Inspector is used as a dramatic device, he embodies socialist views whilst representing the lower-working classes. In disguise of a murder case, Priestley attempts to use the Inspector to call for a reflection on social justice.

Through the Stage Directions in Act 1, “the lighting should be pink and intimate”, suggesting a warm cosy atmosphere to symbolise their wealth. However, due to the Inspectors arrival the lighting becomes 'brighter and harder' Priestly may have done this to foreshadow the disruption that will soon take place.

Additionally, the harsh change symbolises the Birlings' ignorance of the social Issues and the need for change. Furthermore, the Inspector to fust 'creates an impression of massiveness, solidarity and purposeness” This highlights the importance of the Inspector and the sense of authority he creates. Priestley shows the Inspector to be wearing a 'plain darkish suit', this simple outfit contrasts the elegance of the Birling family. Perhaps to present the idea that appearance is unimportant due to his message of social responsibility. Through his ambiguity the Inspector focuses solely on moral Issues. The audience begins to learn that the Inspector's purpose is not to convict the Birlings of a crime but one of greater meaning, Instead to recognise the immorality of the upper classes and potentially change their attitudes for the better.

Inspector Goole first arrives to 'a sharp ring of a doorbell', this stage direction is used to mirror the telephone ringing 'sharply' at the end of the play. The cyclical structure of the play serves as a message to that the societal implications are not yet resolved, but there is a need for the characters to confront their own decisions. Furthermore, the door bell is used to disrupt Arthur Birling’s speech, immediately foreshadowing the disruption of his capitalist views.

Throughout the play, the Inspector questions each of the characters. providing each with a link to Eva smith, a girl who died in 'miserly and agony' demonstrating a torturous death. Furthermore, she burnt her insides out', for a contemporary audience the graphic description of 'burnt’ evokes an emotional response due to the impact of war, perhaps causing sympathy for Eva smith. However, for a character such as Mr Birling this causes irony, as he claims there isn't a chance of war', presenting his capitalist views. The Inspector uses this a chance to evoke guilt upon the upper classes through the gory imagery.

Further on in the Play, the Inspector is presented as authoritive and moral when interrogating Mr Birling. Mr Birling Offers the Inspector 'a glass of port' , however he replies,' no thankyou... In on duty'. Alcohol bears connotations of immorality, yet the reject and calm town tone of the Inspector demonstrates the Inspectors morality. He takes his job seriously, and remains moral throughout. For an audience, this becomes a traut we want to strive tor. As the interrogation continues, It is revealed Mr Birling had a relation to Eva (being her employer). upon recognising her photograph the audience learn he ‘discharged her’. However Mr Birling comments,' she had to much to say'...'she had to go’. This highlights his abuse of power leaving her 'penniless’. In response, the Inspector adds 'No sit I cant agree with you there'. Priestley uses this forceful assertion to intensify his power, helping to develop Ideas of a corrupt social divide.

Further on, the Inspector is used as a proxy for Priestley, symbolising the potential of the younger generation to be the hope of a better future. The Inspector turns to Sheila Birling and her role in Eva smiths death. Sheila Birling had Eva sacked from her job in a local departement store. Through the Inspectors interrogation he is presented as omniscient as he 'knew of Sheila’s involvement from the beginning. Throughout Sheila's interrogation she recognises she 'is to blame', this demonstrates the strong influence of the inspector has on the younger generation. This is further emphasised through,' we often do make on the young ones They’re more impressionable’. Priestley may have done this to link the theme of the generation gap, as by the end of the play the younger generation become the ones to accept responsibility. The use of " collective pronoun we highlights all of the lower classes being united through Socialism. furthermore, from this very comment Sheila uses 'Mother' in contrast to previously 'mummy' demonstrating her matureness due to the Inspectors powerful influence.

In the final act, Eric a character who Priestley presents as 'squiffy' and reckless begins to understand the fault of his actions, 'im not likely to forget’, the Inspector replies ‘No, you wont’ highlighting the urgency of the inspector to assert his dominance in attempt to serve the slightest flicker of Justice for Eva. furthermore, Eric becomes a symbol to the audience that there is hope of redemption through 'we did her all in' demonstrating his evolved social Responsibility. It becomes clear that without the Inspector the Birlings would remain ignorant to the problems around them, therefore being a crucial role.

The Inspector ends with a final speech, used to communicate the social change needed in our society. ‘Each of you helped to kill her’. The serous tone of his voice conflicts ever lasting guilt on the Birling family, causing a sense of urgency for the audience to reflect. The Inspector adds ‘millions and millions and millions of Eva smiths and John smiths still left with us’ The repetition of ‘millions' demonstrates the extent of the issue in todays world. furthermore, Priestley uses this to demonstrate that this message is universal, Eva is used as a tool to represent the mass of people stuck in Eva's situation. The Inspector leaves on ‘fire, blood and anguish’. The semantic field of hell and doom hints at biblical imagery of the Inspector being a God-like figure who holds power, this highlights the significance of the consequences for those who choose not to take social responsibility.

Overall, Priestley uses the character of the Inspector as someone who tries to inflict change on our broken world, being a message for all audiences. He is used as a moral conscience, who has the power to shine a light on the wrongdoings of the Birlings through his assertive nature.

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