An Inspector Calls

Length: 2561 words (7.3 double-spaced pages)
Rating: Red (FREE)      
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Analyse the character of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. 

Discuss his: 

* Role in the play 

* Effect on the other characters 

* Stage presence 


When the Inspector first knocks on the front door, it is dramatic 
irony because Arthur just said a matter of seconds before of how he 
‘might get a knighthood if we don’t get into any sort of trouble’. 
This is a very significant time of entering, similar to knocking over 
a tower of Jenga – everything one has hoped for has just evaporated 
into thin air. As an audience we expect something very important, an 
altered atmosphere in the play from this moment forward. The Birling’s 
smug satisfaction is put on hold. It abruptly comes to a halt. Edna 
comes into the Dining room and says to Mr. Birling, “Please, Sir, an 
Inspector’s called”. 

The Inspector, at first appears to the audience to be a police 
officer. He said he had recently moved to Brumley; the family find out 
he is a fake when Arthur rings the police station at the end of the 
play. This news is even more disturbing than the questioning that 
takes place throughout the play, because they realised that the 
Inpsector had deceived them all. They had been had! But on the other 
hand, was the purpose of the visit fulfilled? 

I think the purpose of his visit was to show the family that their 
lives and what they do during their life is far more influential than 
they realise, either positively or negatively. Had they helped Eva 
Smith, her life may not have been lost, but in fact, the Inspector’s 
intention was to help them see where they went wrong and secure them 
on the right pathif they were willing to respond. He wanted to aid 
them in their understanding that in life there are huge decisions and 
choices to make which, if are chosen wrongly, can have...