An Inspector Calls ‘What do you think is the importance of inspector Goole and how does Priestley present him?’
J.B Priestly employs a various methods to present the inspector as well as showing his importance such as stage directions and from the language he uses. These methods allow us to understand and relate to the moral messages put across in the play.
The inspector right from the moment he is introduced is commanding of the situation and already has that authority he displays later on in the play. “at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness”. As the play progresses the inspector continues to make this impression on the family by his interrogations and speeches. The inspector does this by keeping composed and confident even in the toughest situations while the people around him fail to stop themselves from keeping to their false stories. His ‘solidity’ is proven when the inspector keeps to the task even though he is under constant fire from Mr Birling and Gerald and his ‘purposefulness’ is proven when he explains turn by turn to the Birling family that their way of thinking ‘Every man must only look out for himself’ and that “we are all responsible for each other”. The inspector’s final speech best represents this where the inspector says “We don’t live alone; we are members of one body. We are responsible for each other”. His final speech is like a sermon or a politician's. He leaves the family with the message "We are responsible for each other" and warns them of the "fire and blood and anguish" that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them.
The inspector right from the moment he is introduced is commanding of the situation and already has that authority he displays later on in the play. “at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness”. As the play progresses the inspector continues to make this impression on the family by his interrogations and speeches. The inspector does this by keeping composed and confident even in the toughest situations while the people around him fail to stop themselves from keeping to their false stories. His ‘solidity’ is proven when the inspector keeps to the task even though he is under constant fire from Mr Birling and Gerald and his ‘purposefulness’ is proven when he explains turn by turn to the Birling family that their way of thinking ‘Every man must only look out for himself’ and that “we are all responsible for each other”. The inspector’s final speech best represents this where the inspector says “We don’t live alone; we are members of one body. We are responsible for each other”. His final speech is like a sermon or a politician's. He leaves the family with the message "We are responsible for each other" and warns them of the "fire and blood and anguish" that will result if they do not pay attention to what he has taught them.