An Inspector Calls: Key Themes, Characters, and Context

Inspector Goole role

Moral catalyst / Priestley's mouthpiece

Entrance - Structural disruption

interrupts Birling's monologue

Entrance - Authority

massiveness, solidity and purposefulness

Entrance - Lighting - Truth exposed

brighter and harder

Message - Collective responsibility

We are members of one body

Message - Eva symbolic

millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths

Final warning - Social responsibility

intertwined with our lives

Final warning - Prophetic

fire and blood and anguish

Context

Written 1945, set 1912 → criticises capitalism, promotes socialism

Mr Birling

Capitalist ideology / refuses change

Beginning - Self-made image

hard-headed practical businessman

Beginning - Dramatic irony

Titanic... unsinkable / war... impossible

Interrogation - Profit over people

duty to keep labour costs down

Interrogation - Rejects blame

I can't accept any responsibility

End - Cares about reputation

public scandal

End - Dismissive

moonshine

Mrs Birling

Class prejudice / moral hypocrisy

Beginning - Lack of warmth

cold

Beginning - Dehumanising

girls of that class

Interrogation - No remorse

I did nothing I'm ashamed of

Interrogation - Class superiority

a girl in her position

End - Absolute refusal

I accept no blame

End - Defensive

I thought I had done no more than my duty

Sheila

Change / hope / younger generation

Beginning - Childish

Mummy... Daddy...

Beginning - Sheltered privilege

very pleased with life

Interrogation - Moral awakening

these girls aren't cheap labour — they're people

Interrogation - Accepts responsibility

I'm desperately sorry

End - Rejects parents

It frightens me the way you talk

End - Sees hypocrisy

You're pretending...

Gerald

Privileged male / partial change

Beginning - Confidence, status

easy, well-bred young man

Affair - Objectifies Eva

inevitable mistress

Affair - Romanticises control

young and fresh and charming

End - Relief over morality

Everything's all right now

End - Focuses on deception, not guilt

We've been had