Inspector Goole: The Moral Compass

Inspector Goole serves as the central figure in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls," acting as both a catalyst for the plot and a mouthpiece for the author's socialist views. His character is shrouded in mystery, which adds to his effectiveness in challenging the Birling family's beliefs and actions.

The Inspector's role is to make the audience, as well as the characters, question their own behavior and morality. He systematically interrogates each family member, revealing their connections to Eva Smith and their collective responsibility for her tragic fate.

Quote: "Millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths" - Inspector Goole, emphasizing the universality of human suffering.

Priestley uses the Inspector's dialogue to convey powerful messages about social responsibility. His statement that "We are all members of one body" directly challenges the capitalist, individualistic views held by characters like Mr. Birling.

Highlight: The Inspector's socialist views contrast sharply with the capitalist ideals of the Birling family, creating tension and driving the plot forward.

The Inspector's appearance is described as "dressed in a plain, darkish suit," which adds to his mysterious nature and makes it difficult to place him within the rigid class structure of the time. This ambiguity allows him to transcend class boundaries and focus solely on moral issues.

Quote: "I don't play golf" - Inspector Goole, distancing himself from upper-class pursuits and focusing on his duty.

The supernatural elements surrounding Inspector Goole, such as his omniscient knowledge and his name (which sounds like "ghoul"), suggest that he may not be a real person but rather a manifestation of conscience or divine judgment.

Vocabulary: Omnipotent - Having unlimited power or authority.

Through Inspector Goole, Priestley effectively challenges the audience to examine their own lives and consider their responsibilities to others in society, making the character a powerful tool for social commentary and moral reflection.

Mr. Birling: The Capitalist Patriarch

Arthur Birling, the patriarch of the Birling family, embodies the capitalist ideals and class-conscious attitudes that J.B. Priestley sought to critique in "An Inspector Calls." As a successful businessman and former Lord Mayor, Mr. Birling represents the older generation's resistance to social change and their prioritization of personal gain over collective welfare.

Quote: "A man must look after himself" - Mr. Birling, expressing his capitalist views.

Mr. Birling's character is defined by his unwavering belief in capitalist principles. He frequently espouses views that prioritize profit over people, such as advocating for "lower costs and higher prices." This attitude is emblematic of the exploitation of workers that was common in the Edwardian era.

Highlight: Mr Birling's capitalist views are central to his character and drive much of the conflict in the play.

Priestley uses dramatic irony to undermine Mr. Birling's authority and wisdom. His confident predictions about the future, such as claiming that "The Germans don't want war," are known by the audience to be catastrophically wrong, given the play's post-World War II context.

Mr. Birling's obsession with social status and connections is evident throughout the play. He frequently name-drops and boasts about his relationships with people in power, such as when he says, "I play golf with the chief constable." This emphasis on social climbing and networking reveals the shallow nature of his values.

Example: Mr. Birling's excitement about Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft is primarily based on the business advantages it could bring, rather than his daughter's happiness.

As the play progresses, Mr. Birling becomes increasingly concerned with saving his reputation rather than acknowledging his role in Eva Smith's death. His statement, "There'll be a public scandal," demonstrates his prioritization of public image over moral responsibility.

Quote: "You all helped kill her" - Mr. Birling, imitating the Inspector but failing to grasp the moral implications.

Mr. Birling represents the older generation who fail to learn from the Inspector's lesson and refuse to take responsibility for their actions. His character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked capitalism and the importance of social responsibility.

Sybil Birling: The Matriarch of Prejudice

Sybil Birling, the wife of Arthur Birling and mother to Sheila and Eric, represents the entrenched class prejudices and moral hypocrisy of the upper classes in Edwardian England. Her character serves as a stark example of how social status can blind individuals to their own moral failings and responsibilities.

Quote: "Girls of that class" - Mrs. Birling, revealing her prejudiced views towards working-class women.

As a woman of higher social standing than her husband, Mrs. Birling embodies the rigid class structure of the time. Her disdain for those she considers beneath her is evident in her reaction to Eva Smith using the Birling name:

Quote: "She called herself Mrs. Birling, what a piece of gross impertinence" - Mrs. Birling, showing her outrage at a perceived breach of social etiquette.

Mrs. Birling's role in the charity organization puts her in a position of power over those seeking help, yet she abuses this power by denying assistance to Eva Smith based on her own prejudices. This action highlights the hypocrisy of her charitable work, which seems more focused on maintaining social hierarchies than genuinely helping those in need.

Highlight: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith demonstrates how class prejudice can have dire consequences for vulnerable individuals.

Throughout the play, Mrs. Birling consistently refuses to accept any blame for her actions, insisting, "I did nothing I'm ashamed of." Her inability to recognize her own culpability is a key aspect of her character and represents the older generation's resistance to change and self-reflection.

Mrs. Birling's treatment of her children, particularly Sheila, reveals outdated gender views and a lack of understanding of the younger generation:

Quote: "You aren't the type... you don't get drunk" - Mrs. Birling, showing her limited understanding of her son Eric's struggles.

Example: Mrs. Birling's dismissive attitude towards Sheila's opinions with comments like "The things you girls pick up these days" demonstrates her resistance to changing gender roles.

As a representative of the older generation, Mrs. Birling, like her husband, fails to learn from the Inspector's lesson and remains unchanged by the end of the play. Her character serves as a critique of the rigid social structures and moral blindness that Priestley saw as detrimental to society.

Eric Birling: The Troubled Son

Eric Birling, the youngest member of the Birling family, represents the conflicted nature of the younger generation caught between traditional values and emerging social consciousness. His character arc in "An Inspector Calls" reveals the consequences of privilege without responsibility and the potential for growth and change.

Quote: "You're rather squiffy" - A comment about Eric, revealing his underlying drinking problem.

Eric's alcoholism is a significant aspect of his character, hinting at deeper issues within the family and society. His drinking problem leads to reckless behavior, including his mistreatment of Eva Smith:

Quote: "I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty" - Eric, explaining his actions towards Eva Smith.

Despite his initial irresponsibility, Eric shows the capacity for remorse and growth throughout the play. Unlike his parents, he acknowledges his role in Eva's fate and feels genuine guilt:

Highlight: Eric's willingness to take responsibility for his actions sets him apart from the older generation and aligns him more closely with his sister Sheila.

Eric's relationship with his parents, particularly his father, is strained. His comment, "You're not the kind of father a chap could go to," reveals the lack of emotional support and understanding within the family:

Example: Eric's inability to confide in his father about his problems demonstrates the generational gap and the failure of the older generation to provide guidance and support.

The revelation of Eric's involvement with Eva Smith, including getting her pregnant and stealing money to support her, brings the family's collective responsibility into sharp focus. His actions, while reprehensible, are portrayed as a product of his upbringing and the societal norms of the time.

Quote: "I wasn't in love or anything, but I liked her. She was pretty" - Eric, revealing his casual attitude towards his relationship with Eva Smith.

By the end of the play, Eric, along with Sheila, begins to challenge his parents' views and shows a willingness to learn from the experience. This transformation represents hope for the younger generation to break free from the rigid social structures and moral failings of their parents.

Eric's character serves as a complex exploration of guilt, responsibility, and the potential for change, making him a crucial element in Priestley's critique of Edwardian society.

Sheila Birling: The Evolving Voice of Conscience

Sheila Birling, the daughter of Arthur and Sybil Birling, undergoes one of the most significant transformations in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls." Her character arc represents the potential for the younger generation to break free from the rigid social norms and moral complacency of their parents' generation.

At the beginning of the play, Sheila embodies the traditional role of a young woman in 1912 Edwardian society:

Quote: "Is this the one you wanted me to have" - Sheila, referring to her engagement ring, showing her initial dependence on others' opinions.

However, as the Inspector's investigation unfolds, Sheila demonstrates a remarkable capacity for self-reflection and moral growth. She is the first family member to truly understand the gravity of their collective actions:

Quote: "I felt rotten about it at the time and now I feel a lot worse" - Sheila, expressing remorse for her role in Eva Smith's dismissal from Milwards.

Sheila's involvement in Eva Smith's story stems from a moment of jealousy and abuse of her social position. This incident serves as a catalyst for her character development:

Highlight: Sheila's realization of the consequences of her actions marks the beginning of her moral awakening and challenges the audience to examine their own behavior.

As the play progresses, Sheila begins to challenge gender roles and societal expectations:

Quote: "These women aren't cheap labour" - Sheila, demonstrating her growing awareness of social injustice.

Her relationship with Gerald Croft also undergoes scrutiny, revealing her increasing independence and critical thinking:

Quote: "All of last summer you never came near me" - Sheila, confronting Gerald about their relationship problems.

Sheila's character represents the hope for change in the younger generation. She actively challenges her parents' views and refuses to return to her previous state of ignorance:

Quote: "You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner" - Sheila, acknowledging her transformation.

By the end of the play, Sheila emerges as a voice of conscience, fully embracing the lesson of social responsibility that the Inspector imparts. Her character serves as a contrast to her parents, who remain unchanged, and embodies Priestley's message about the need for social reform and moral accountability.

Example: Sheila's insistence on facing the truth and learning from the experience, even after the possibility of the Inspector being a hoax is raised, demonstrates her commitment to moral growth.

Sheila Birling's character development is crucial to the play's themes, showing that change is possible and necessary for creating a more just and compassionate society.

Gerald Croft: The Conflicted Suitor

Gerald Croft, engaged to Sheila Birling, represents a complex character in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls." As the son of a successful businessman and Sheila's fiancé, Gerald straddles the line between the older and younger generations, embodying both progressive and conservative elements.

Gerald's background as the son of a rival business owner (Crofts Limited) initially positions him as a beneficial connection for the Birling family:

Highlight: Gerald's engagement to Sheila is seen by Mr. Birling as a potential business advantage, highlighting the intertwining of personal relationships and business interests in their social circle.

The revelation of Gerald's affair with Eva Smith (under the name Daisy Renton) serves as a pivotal moment in the play:

Quote: "I didn't feel about her as she felt about me" - Gerald, revealing the imbalance in his relationship with Eva/Daisy.

This admission exposes the exploitation of working-class women by upper-class men, a common occurrence in Edwardian society. Gerald's actions, while not malicious, demonstrate a casual disregard for the consequences of his behavior on those less privileged.

Gerald's reaction to the news of Eva's death shows a degree of genuine remorse:

Quote: "I'd like to be alone for a while" - Gerald, expressing his need to process the information.

However, his capitalist upbringing and class consciousness soon reassert themselves:

Quote: "You couldn't have done anything else" - Gerald to Mr. Birling, showing his alignment with capitalist views.

Gerald is the first to question the Inspector's authenticity, leading to the possibility that the entire evening's events might be a hoax:

Quote: "We've been had" - Gerald, suggesting that the Inspector might not be genuine.

This skepticism aligns Gerald more closely with the older generation, as he seems eager to dismiss the moral lessons of the evening once doubt is cast on the Inspector's identity.

Example: Gerald's attempt to resume his engagement with Sheila by offering her ring back demonstrates his desire to return to the status quo.

Gerald's character serves to highlight the conflict between social conscience and self-interest. While he shows moments of empathy and regret, he ultimately aligns himself with the capitalist values of Mr. Birling:

Highlight: Gerald's willingness to challenge the Inspector ("Getting a bit heavy-handed") shows his shock at being treated without the deference his class usually commands.

In the end, Gerald represents those who acknowledge wrongdoing but fail to fully embrace the need for social change, preferring instead to maintain the existing social order that benefits them.

Page 7: Sheila Birling's Character

Sheila undergoes the most significant transformation, representing hope for social change through the younger generation.

Quote: "You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner" shows her character development. Highlight: Her challenge to gender roles and class prejudices represents progressive social change. Example: Her reaction to Eva Smith's death demonstrates growing social consciousness.

An Inspector Calls: Context and Setting

J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" is a powerful play that delves into the social and political landscape of early 20th century Britain. Set in 1912 but written in 1945, the play serves as a critique of the capitalist system and the stark class divisions that existed in Edwardian England.

The context of the play is crucial to understanding its themes and messages. In 1912, Britain was a country deeply entrenched in capitalist ideals, where the wealthy held significant power and influence. Mr Birling's capitalist views are representative of this era, as he frequently espouses beliefs such as "A man must look after himself" and prioritizes "lower costs and higher prices" over the welfare of his workers.

Highlight: The play's setting in 1912 is contrasted with its writing in 1945, allowing Priestley to use dramatic irony to critique pre-war society.

Women's rights were severely limited in 1912, with women having no voting rights and being largely subservient to men. This is reflected in the characters of Sybil and Sheila Birling, who initially embody traditional female roles but evolve throughout the play.

Example: Sheila's character arc demonstrates the changing attitudes towards women's roles, as she becomes more assertive and critical of societal norms.

Priestley, who held socialist views, uses the character of Inspector Goole to challenge the capitalist ideals and class distinctions of the time. The Inspector's statement that "We are all members of one body" encapsulates the socialist perspective that Priestley wanted to promote.

Quote: "We are all members of one body" - Inspector Goole, expressing socialist ideals.

By writing this play in 1945, after two world wars had dramatically changed British society, Priestley aimed to ensure that Britain would not revert to the rigid class structure and social inequalities of the pre-war era.