Inspector Goole Essay Example

Inspector Goole Essay Example Inspector Goole Essay Inspector Goole Essay The most obscure role of Inspector Goole, and probably the most crucial in terms of creating suspense within the play, is his dramatic function as Narrator. In this role, the Inspector is used to report all events that take place in the plot, as he indirectly reveals the truth behind Eva Smiths death. -Ultimately he keeps the audience on track with the plays events, and thus is used by Priestley to relay the narration in full, whilst at the same time, creating immense tension among the audience the whole way through the play. The Inspectors specific style of narration, is one that is used to arouse tension within the plot and in-turn, keep the audience attentive the whole way through. In this form of narration, the Inspector holds back vital information, as he slowly interrogates the characters one by one each time, accusing them, until eventually he reveals each segment of the story to the audience:  Its the way I like to work. One person and one line of inquiry at a time.  (Inspector Goole, Act one) The Inspector shows that his method of working is chronological; the style of narration thus creates suspense, as the audience wants the information all in one go and cant bare to wait any longer. The increasing and decreasing pace makes the narration more exciting, as his continuous interrogation makes the audience tense with apprehension. The audience doesnt know who is involved and what specific parts they play, and this lack of information creates immense suspense, as they wait for the Inspector to reveal the truth, one by one. At the beginning of the play, the Inspector controls the interrogations with all power, as his narration is calm and smooth. However, this eventually transforms during the course of the plot and near the end, his mood becomes irritable and impatient. This sudden change in mental state is triggered off by the immature and selfish attitudes of Mr and Mrs Birling, who refuse to co-operate and instead, just quarrel and lie. The Inspector knows they are being untruthful and becomes enraged:  Youre not telling me the truth (Inspector Goole, end of Act two). He at this point is so angry with them due to their un-repentance, that he loses his cool. Their un-truthfulness disrupts his prompt narration process, thus causing him to change his mood and force them to tell the story correctly. The audience knows at this point that the Inspector is already fully aware of everything that went on with Eva Smith, and that his only reason for coming to the Birling household, is so that the other characters too become informed. This fact creates a massive suspicion among the audience as they wonder why he is acting so unprofessionally and with all emotion over just a simple inquiry. His continuous narration at first seems as just part of the normal interrogation, but as the plot unfolds, the Inspectors desire for justice starts to take over, as it is made apparent that the Inspector has more of an attachment to the case than he first let out. Despite this obvious emotion though, the Inspector keeps his cunning standpoint and thus is placed as a hero icon among the audience, as they gain an immense respect for his empathy and ingenious narration throughout the play. Paragraph 6- The Inspectors function as a social/ political commentator   1st Re-draft  Within the play, the biggest and most influential role of the Inspector is his profound function as a social and political commentator. In this position, Priestley has expressed his own comments about the society we live in, and through the Inspectors contrast, the beliefs of social equality to the audience. The Inspector is thus continually used to pose as a representative for many different ideologies, and is fundamentally used to represent the once-thought fairness in socialism of the 20th Century. Within this political role, Priestley has used Inspector Goole to question that of the Capitalist society, as he enforces all power over the money-bound arrogance of the Birling family. Continually he questions their Capitalist motives, whilst at the same time, showing that he believes their only substance is that of arrogance, greed and prejudice. With this being the case, in Act one, Priestley shows his contempt for this political standing, as in response to Gerald saying that the Birlings are respectable citizens and not criminals, the Inspector says:  Sometimes there isnt as much difference as you think. Often, if it was left to me, I wouldnt know where to draw the line (Inspector Goole, Act one) Through this comment, Priestley shows that he has an immense doubt over the Capitalist point of view. He shows that he thinks all the results of its ugly nature are nothing but criminal, and that issues resulting from it, such as sexual inferiority, the obvious difference in class, and lack of self-worth, are all wrong, and that the people who abide in its system, are convicts, all but in name. In my opinion, he shows that the corrupt deeds that take place behind closed doors are nothing but depraved, and that the Capitalist society is an immoral tool, used to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Ultimately, he shows that Capitalism and everyone who stand in agreement with it are wrong and that they themselves are illicit, just by being in allegiance with such a corrupt system. The Inspector, being a puppet for Priestleys intentions, is biased throughout the play towards the political view of Socialism. -This belief; originally brought about to bring equal opportunities to everyone, is a political opinion, worlds away from the unfairness of the Capitalist society today. It consists of sharing and looking after one another, in the unison of agreement under a free and equal right to life. The Inspector, who has been used to firmly deliverer this belief, shows his attachment, even in his conversations with the Birlings:  You see we have to share something. If theres nothing else, we have to share our guilt.