Inspector Goole: Priestley's Moral Voice
Ever wondered how playwrights get their message across? Priestley uses Inspector Goole as his mouthpiece to express socialist views and criticise capitalism. The Inspector's language is completely different from the Birlings - whilst they use selfish pronouns like "I" and "my", he speaks of "we" and "our", emphasising collective responsibility.
His imposing physical presence is crucial to his authority. Described as having "massiveness, solidity and purposefulness", he can't be ignored or deflected from his mission. This isn't just description - it's Priestley showing us that moral authority commands respect, regardless of social class.
The Inspector's method is systematic and relentless. His approach of "one line of inquiry at a time" isolates each family member, preventing them from hiding behind each other. When he tells them not to "stammer and yammer", he's showing he won't be intimidated by their upper-class status.
Key Point: The Inspector represents the voice of social conscience, challenging the audience to examine their own responsibility towards others.
His final warning about "fire and blood and anguish" proves chillingly accurate when we consider the World Wars that followed the play's 1912 setting. Unlike Birling's foolish predictions, the Inspector's words carry the weight of historical truth.