Priestley presents the inspector as a man who enjoys allowing people to feel intimidated by his presence. This is shown in the quote: “He creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. ” This infers that although he may not be ‘massive’, he gains satisfaction from creating an impression of this. The word ‘solidity’ implies that he is a well kept together and reliable man, that perhaps he has the capability of making a point without losing his temper.
Also, ‘purposefulness’ gives the impression that he is a determined and strong-willed man; that he will not fail to reach his aim, even on the face of difficulty. Priestley’s intentions may have been to create a man with good morals that he can voice his views and opinions through as during the 1940’s socialism was quite frowned upon and so expressing his views through a play would’ve been quite a safe option. The inspector is seen as a man with integrity and a sense of authority. This is shown in the quote: “Yes but why are you saying that to him? —
I know, somehow he makes you. ” The above quote is said by Sheila Birling and is directed at Gerald Croft when he confesses to the inspector what exactly he did to Eva Smith. I thought it was an appropriate quote to choose as it shows how the inspector has a certain power over them; how he can enable them to confess their secrets without them even realising. This shows that the inspector is discreet and professional with his methods and that although they are of higher class than him, in this environment the inspector is the one with the most influence and power.
The Essay on Communication Differences Between Men And Women
The differences in gender is the most significant biological difference within the human species. Yet, most of us know very little about how these differences affect work, intimacy and conflict. Starting at a very young age, these differences begin to shape our play, concepts of relationships, productivity, and in general the way we communicate with one another. I have noticed the differences ...
Perhaps Priestley may have done this in order to publicise that you do not have to be of higher class to have authority and that society in those days should have took better notice of this. Priestley may have wanted equal perspectives of all class’. The way the inspector speaks in An Inspector Calls develops throughout the play. At the beginning, he is perceived as polite and quite reserved. This is shown when the inspector says to Mr Birling: “Thank you, sir. ” This implies that he may want to create an impression of being emotionally restraint and really quite composed.
This, however, changes as we get into the play; the inspector becomes more aggressive and controlling. This is seen in the quote: “(Taking charge masterfully) Stop! ” This implies that he eventually desires control and power and so subsequently gains authority within the household. It also infers that he may have eventually lost his temper with those around him as they were showing no remorse or regret towards their actions and this, of course, was frustrating. Priestley’s intentions may have been to imitate the anger he was feeling towards society’s actions, through the character of the inspector.
Perhaps he made the inspector as masterful and loud as he is in order to force the things he was saying into the audience’s heads and make them consider his views to the fullest degree. The way Sheila reacts to the inspector is with remorse, regret and empathy. This is shown in the quote: “I know. I had her turned out of a job. I started it. ” This implies that Sheila was feeling such disappointment with herself that she was prepared to take full responsibility for her actions; something the other characters are more hesitant to do.
Also, the quote ‘I started it’ infers that Sheila is so conscience-struck that she is even willing to take the biggest blame out of everyone who is being questioned for the death of Eva Smith. Perhaps Priestley made the younger generation have far better morals than the older generation in his play in order to provide hope to society and up their expectations of how the younger generation are going to grow up. Society in those days dismissed the younger generation and the higher class really only took notice of them when it came to money and wealth and perhaps Priestley wanted to change this.
The Essay on Mrs Birling Inspector Priestley Play
... people can be like. The Inspector helps Priestley show us how the middle class people act in society and the way in which ... me I suppose? Inspector: Yes... The INSPECTOR is watching BIRLING and now BIRLING notices him. Inspector: I think you remember Eva Smith now, don't ... but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes ...
Mr Birling reacts to the inspectors accusations with aggression and a selfish manner. This is shown in the quote: “I can’t accept responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything — it would be very awkward” This implies that he is an incredibly stubborn and egocentric man who fails to see how his actions cannot be justified. However, his attempts to justify what he has done to Eva Smith prove that he cares more for his reputation than he does for those around him (which was really quite common for those in higher class families).
Priestley’s intentions may have been to use Mr Birling as a puppet to imitate the naivety and optimism there was of society during 1912; before the war had begun and the titanic had crashed etc. Some of society in that time was so optimistic of the future that they did not bother to pay attention to the possible consequences and about what could go wrong. Priestley may have made Mr Birling to say some of the things he said in order to exaggerate how stupid and naive people really sounded in those days.
I think that the ideas the Inspector represents in an Inspector calls is that we are all responsible for each other and that we should be more considerate to those who are still alive and with us. This is shown in the quote: “One Eva Smith has gone – but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths left with us. ” This implies that although they have made mistakes in the past leading to the death of Eva Smith, there is still a chance for them to regain themselves by treating people of all class’ with respect and kindness.
It may also be inferring that we should take hold of the opportunity after the war to create a more caring and respectful society. Priestley’s intentions in what the Inspector represents may have been to create a character who can successfully replicate what he, himself, represents. I feel that all of the Inspector’s views were merely Priestley’s in the form of a play and that Priestley desperately wanted he way society viewed each other to change immediately.
