AIC Character Questions - Inspector Goole

Hello,

I thought I'd put together a few outline plans for different characters in An Inspector Calls, using the basic three part structure I've outlined. Here on on...

Inspector Goole:

Early impressions

• The lighting changes from 'pink and intimate' to 'harsh and bright' when he arrives, indicating a change in mood. The initial scene has been celebratory and full of Birling's confidence and complacency - Birling dominates. With the arrival of the Inspector, there is a shift in mood. Perhaps the brighter light represents the light of truth which will reveal the true nature of the Birling family? The Inspector's 'massiveness' means that Birling no longer dominates the stage. The Inspector now stage manages the whole thing, even apparently controlling entrances and exits.
• The name - GHOUL? A clue about his purpose/identity. Is he a supernatural creature, here to feed off the humans on stage?
• Unusual policeman - not interested in Brumley's social hierarchy. Not interested in the law or police procedure. Focuses on morality. He wants the Birlings to witness each other's guilt, even though it's 'one person and one line of inquiry at a time.'

Development

• Dysphemism - 'her position is that she lies with a burnt out inside on a slab.' The Inspector's role is to break down the wall that the Birlings build up to protect themselves. His use of blunt, harsh language is used in contrast to the Birlings euphemistic language.
• Socialist mouthpiece: The Inspector focused on social responsibility and morality, not the law. 'You can divide the responsibility between you...'
• He seems to vaguely warn about revolution: 'It's better to ask for the earth than to take it.'
• stage directions - he 'cuts in massively'. 
• He waits for Eric's arrival and seems aware of the future.
• He moralises - 'we'll have to share our guilt'. Seems to be about 'we' (i.e. society) not the Birlings. 'Some young men drink far too much.' 'Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilites as well as privileges.'

Conclusions/Endings

• Final speech - highly rhetorical (eg. anaphora, short sentences (parataxis), lists of three, imagery, polysyndeton). He addresses the audience and makes it clear that this is no longer about the Birlings ('millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths')
• 'fire and blood and anguish' - war? hell? Consider context here. What would the audience in 1945 think?
• Finally, interpret. Who or what is Goole? Is he a spirit? A personification of the public conscience? Is he Priestley himself, come back in time to accuse those he sees as responsible for the disasters of the period between 1912 and 1945?

More ideas here:

There might be another blog later. 

Good luck! 

Mr M