Feb 22, 2021
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Explore the ways that Priestley presents the Inspector in ‘An Inspector Calls’. Model Paragraph
Priestley uses biblical allusion to present the Inspector’s words as prophetic and ominous in his final warning to the Birling family. Before his dramatic departure, he cautions the Birlings – and the audience – that if society does not “learn that lesson” it will be taught in “fire and blood and anguish.” Within this, the Inspector appears omniscient and God-like and in this sense he is presented as an omnipotent being of great authority because it is clear that his knowledge of the world breaks the constraints of time. This is exaggerated when he reminds the Birlings that “the time will soon come”; the modal verb “will” creates an impression that the Inspector knows exactly what will happen later, making him seem like a prophetic messenger who has been sent to warn the Birlings about what will happen in the future if they do not change the error of their ways. The Inspector’s speech has strong links to religion. This suggests that the Inspector is alluding to the notion that those that sin will suffer more than “public scandal” and be punished in hell. In this sense the religious imagery causes the Inspector to appear almost angelic, as if he is trying to help them avoid this fate. Furthermore, the dramatic end to his final speech could be seen to reference the impending wars and remind the audience that selfishness and greed brings nothing more than destruction to the earth. In suggesting that the Birlings will be punished with “anguish”, Priestley highlights that, regardless of privilege, wealth and status, no one is able to avoid the “fire” that descends on all of us in the midst of war. Reference to such violent punishment and devastation would strongly resonate with an audience in 1945 as they had suffered much torment during the world wars and would be grateful to be finally experiencing a time of peace. Priestley intended to play on this fear of war and uses the character of the Inspector to encourage society to consider their actions and acknowledge that greed and arrogance only results in division, fighting and suffering.