‘An Inspector Calls’ written by J.B Priestly is a play with hidden political morals within it. As Priestly believes in Socialism (treating everybody fairly and equally) he uses the Inspector to convey his ideas to the audience to try and encourage them to see his way of thinking by using a family that is Capitalist (that believe in an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit) to show them what the consequences of their actions will be if they continue in such a manner that they do during the play. Priestly uses the Inspector as a mouthpiece straight away, even before the Inspector’s official entrance into the play. Whilst Mr Birling is voicing his Capitalist views to Eric and Gerald, he is cut off as ‘[We hear a sharp ring of a front door bell…’] which cuts through Birling’s speech and shows a positive impact of the presence of the inspector from the start. Once the Inspector officially enters the scene, he is described as a man that ‘…creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.’
This continues consistently throughout the play whilst he delivers his speeches and through the processes of interrogation within the members of the Birling family. The Inspector remains calm and tactful whilst the rest of the Birling family crumble and fall apart due to the relevant and concise questions he asks. His ‘solidity’ is shown constantly throughout the play as he remains on task despite the fact that others are trying to distract the Inspector from making key points and to put him off task. This is seen when Birling asks the Inspector ‘Have a glass of port- or a little whisky?’ which shows that Birling is trying to be have a light and colloquial conversation with the Inspector. However, the Inspector then says ‘No, thank you, Mr Birling. I’m on duty.’ Heavily implying that the Inspector refuses to be drawn away from the task he is undergoing. The Inspector is also known to be ‘purposeful’ as we are told in the stage directions.
The Term Paper on Police Inspector Birling Play Act
Can a simple inspection turn people's minds around? Well, Inspector Goole certainly turned the Birling's mind around, by inspecting them one by one. During his inspection we see the effect he has on the play. He represents Priestley's central themes, and sends a message to the audience, stating that everything we do or say can affect other people's lives. And by his mysterious appearance we are ...
His purpose is to broadcast his Socialist views to show Capitalists what will happen if they do not change the error of their ways. The Inspector expresses these views during his final speech while stating that ‘We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.’ Which tells the audience that we are meant to be treating each other equally and fairly so that there is no conflict between anybody. Also, if we keep thinking in this Capitalist fashion, that larger events will happen and have a more devastating impact.
However, there is a part in the play when Mr Birling says to the Inspector ‘If I were responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d have anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’ Which supports his Capitalist belief of concentrating on anything he does; not to be associated with anybody else strongly which reinforces the strong contrasts between both views of the men in society. The Inspector is used to that Socialist ideas can overthrow Capitalist ideas. As this is shown as throughout the play, the Inspector is the one who is empowered not the Birling’s who would stereotypically be seen as the ones who are higher up in social status and the hierarchy of society.
