The inspector

Symbolic meaning

• A foil to Mr Birling

• Represents the socialist ethos

• A mouthpiece for Priestley own views

Context and message

• Priestley presents socialism through inspector- positive contrast to Birlings capitalist

• He doesn’t develop or change as he doesn’t need to

• Socialism presented as a powerful, intelligent, well informed compassionate choice

Morality/ responsibility

• ‘’Speaks carefully, weightily’

  • Impact of the inspectors moral message

• ‘We are members of one body’

  • Alludes to the Book of Genesis, echoing the words of God and speaking on his behalf

• ‘Each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.’

  • Imperatives show assertiveness, authority, confidence and certainty

Omniscience

• ‘How much he knows that we don’t know yet’

  • Sheila understands the inspector is well informed and intelligent

Physical appearance

• ‘Need not be a big man’

  • Strength of his position and ideology

• ‘Impression of massiveness’

  • Demonstrates power and imposing nature

Warning of not learning lesson

• ‘Burnt her insides out, of course’

  • Uses shocking imagery to persuade the characters to change

• ‘If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish’

  • Warning of the religious consequences of neglecting duty of social responsibility