Characters (An Inspector Calls)
Inspector Goole:
Mouthpiece for Priestley/ the voice of conscience for each character.
“coolly, looking hard at him” Shows little emotion. “creates at once an impression of massiveness” Is not intimidated by the family’s class.
“Lighting is brighter when Inspector arrives”
Associated with interrogation.
Could be seen as enlightenment.
Metaphor for revealing the truth.
“we are responsible for each other” “If men will not learn that lesson, they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”
Reference to world war 1 & 2.
“There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do.”
Arthur Birling:
A stereotypical capitalist.
Tries to intimidate the Inspector with his importance (whose attitude remain unchanged).
“Heavy-looking and portentous man“
Implies that he is big and threatening.
Opinions on Gerald & Sheila’s engagement.
Business is more important to him than family.
“We employers are at last coming together to see that our interests- the interests of the capital- are properly protected.“
He supports the current economical system that allowed him to succeed.
Telling Gerald that he buys the same port as Lord Croft & that he’s likely to receive a knighthood.
Feels a need to impress Gerald.
Eric Birling:
Represents the younger generation.
“In his early twenties, not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive.”
Feels uncomfortable at the dinner.
His secret is the biggest, so his involvement is foreshadowed from the beginning.
However, he is compassionate and quick to condemn Arthur & Sheila.
Took advantage of Sheila and admits that he was drunk (”in that state”).
“I’m not likely to forget.”
Learns the lesson taught by the Inspector.
Appalled by his parents’ inability to accept responsibility.
Sybil Birling:
Shows embarrassment when Arthur compliments the cook.
Disapproves of the slang word “squiffy”.
Very conscious of the class system.
Feels “perfectly justified” in having dismissed Eva.
Lacks compassion towards Eva Smith, despite her position in the charity.
“It wasn’t I who had turned her out of employment”
Blames “some drunken idler”.
Tries to shift the blame.
She is “relieved” and “amused” at the end of the play.
Remains unchanged.
Wants to continue as before.
Gerald Croft:
Holds similar views to Arthur.
“[An] attractive chap about thirty, rather too manly to be dandy but very much easily well-bred man-about-town.”
Has wealth & status within the community.
“Last summer”
His involvement is foreshadowed.
Very dismissive of his responsibility but recognises he was wrong, and had some good intentions (helping her with a place to live).
Sheila Birling:
Represents the younger generation.
Open to change, doesn’t intend to be like her mother.
Immediately shows regret when she hears her part in Eva’s death.
“a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.“
“mummy”
Presented as childish and naïve.
Suspicious about Gerald “last summer”.
More intelligent than she seems.
"I’d hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet.”
Recognises the power of the inspector.
Determined to change at the end of the play & is aware that her behaviour was wrong.
