The Role Of The Inspector In An Inspector Calls
How does Priestley show the importance of the Inspector to the play as a whole in 'An Inspector Calls'?
The Inspector in 'An Inspector Calls' serves a variety of important functions within the play. He makes the Birlings recognise their faults and the consequences of their actions; highlights the importance of people taking responsibility for one another; and also serves as an all-seeing, God-like figure, giving the impression that those who do not take responsibility for their crimes will be punished. Priestley presents these aspects of the Inspector's role through the use of stage directions, contrasts, repetition, and imagery. One of the most important functions of the Inspector is to highlight problems within the Birling family and, by extension, within the class-obsessed social system of the early twentieth century. This is illustrated by the stage directions. When the Inspector arrives, the lighting changes from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder". This suggests that the Inspector will shine a light on the true nature of the Birling family, shattering their illusion of the 'perfect' family and forcing them to 'see' things more clearly. This includes the reality of how their actions have affected other, less fortunate people. Priestley also uses the Inspector as a contrasting figure to the Birlings, which helps …show more content…
This is shown most clearly at the end of the play, when the Inspector says "We are members of one day. We are responsible for each other". The repetition of "We are" includes both the other characters and the audience, making it clear that this is how everyone should behave. This contrasts directly with Birling's belief that a man has to "look after himself and his own". The difference in the two characters' views highlights the selfishness and cruelty of some middle-class attitudes at the
The Inspector in 'An Inspector Calls' serves a variety of important functions within the play. He makes the Birlings recognise their faults and the consequences of their actions; highlights the importance of people taking responsibility for one another; and also serves as an all-seeing, God-like figure, giving the impression that those who do not take responsibility for their crimes will be punished. Priestley presents these aspects of the Inspector's role through the use of stage directions, contrasts, repetition, and imagery. One of the most important functions of the Inspector is to highlight problems within the Birling family and, by extension, within the class-obsessed social system of the early twentieth century. This is illustrated by the stage directions. When the Inspector arrives, the lighting changes from "pink and intimate" to "brighter and harder". This suggests that the Inspector will shine a light on the true nature of the Birling family, shattering their illusion of the 'perfect' family and forcing them to 'see' things more clearly. This includes the reality of how their actions have affected other, less fortunate people. Priestley also uses the Inspector as a contrasting figure to the Birlings, which helps …show more content…
This is shown most clearly at the end of the play, when the Inspector says "We are members of one day. We are responsible for each other". The repetition of "We are" includes both the other characters and the audience, making it clear that this is how everyone should behave. This contrasts directly with Birling's belief that a man has to "look after himself and his own". The difference in the two characters' views highlights the selfishness and cruelty of some middle-class attitudes at the