* An Inspector Calls Grade 9 Essay Plans *
Eva Smith
Inspector Goole
Includes overarching points, topic
sentences, key quotes, analysis, context
and specialist terminology
, How does Priestley present the influential role of Inspector Goole throughout the
play?
Priestley utilises The Inspector as a powerful and forthright mouthpiece for the
importance of socialism, in order to echo his personal socialist beliefs at a turbulent era
of government, therefore endorsing these new socialist and collectivist ideologies.
‘We are all members of one body’ - Inspector Goole
● Declarative statement - Inspector, therefore Priestley, believes it is necessary and
integral to society to have social responsibility and be held accountable for both
individual and collective actions.
● ‘Body’ - biological imagery - compares society to the human body. Despite societal
constructs of hierarchy and social class, everyone plays a vital role and structure.
● Whilst the Birlings are an outlier, their microcoms represent larger parts of the ‘body’.
● Sociological FUNCTIONALISM, where all of society’s vital role and execution of duties is
what keeps society in structure
‘Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’ - Inspector Goole
● Direct address of Mr Birling - Inspector attacks the microcosm for individualistic capitalist
members of society. Mirrors his abrupt socialist interruption in ‘sharp ring of the doorbell’.
May allude to the interruption of the landslide Conservative government by 1945.
● ‘Public’ - connotes authority figures such as royalty and significant stakeholders. In an
accusatory tone, Inspector mocks and belittles Mr Birling’s fleeting status. Alternatively -
dependent on Conservative ideology and individualistic priorities.
● ‘Privileges’ - plosive sound, accusing of the nouveau riche and bourgeoisie's
dependence on challenging and opposing new socialist norms. Alternatively - white
collar crime. Those like Eric and Mr Birling can get some financial immunity from
punishment for debaucherous and criminal acts of theft and sexual assault.
Priestley limits the Inspector’s power as he is dismissed as the rightful moral guide to
older capitalists who are entrenched in traditionalist ideology, in order to highlight the
conservative attitudes of older generations to legitimise their social superiority.
‘Naturally, I knew nothing about that girl’ - Mrs Birling
● Mrs B attempts to deflect the blame of social responsibility for Eva’s death and
unfortunate circumstance. She is belligerent, careless and beyond reproach.
● ‘Naturally’ - traditionalist ideology, Mrs Birling finds that all class systems are inherent to
society and do not prioritise the proletariat by pure luck. Alternatively - her dependence
on her inherited name and status. Morally inept and secretive. She knows no other life
than to remain defined by society’s constructional chains.
● ‘That’ - determiner, used to ostracise eva from herself, and exert status to show her
unwillingness to socially adapt to new ideologies
● Bourgeoisie women like Mrs Birling selfishly upholds patriarchal beliefs by belittling the
working-class women like Eva, to solidify their power at the top of the hierarchy. The
emancipation of women means her social downfall and therefore she defies the
Inspector’s moral teachings and compass to revolve around societal perceptions.
Eva Smith
Inspector Goole
Includes overarching points, topic
sentences, key quotes, analysis, context
and specialist terminology
, How does Priestley present the influential role of Inspector Goole throughout the
play?
Priestley utilises The Inspector as a powerful and forthright mouthpiece for the
importance of socialism, in order to echo his personal socialist beliefs at a turbulent era
of government, therefore endorsing these new socialist and collectivist ideologies.
‘We are all members of one body’ - Inspector Goole
● Declarative statement - Inspector, therefore Priestley, believes it is necessary and
integral to society to have social responsibility and be held accountable for both
individual and collective actions.
● ‘Body’ - biological imagery - compares society to the human body. Despite societal
constructs of hierarchy and social class, everyone plays a vital role and structure.
● Whilst the Birlings are an outlier, their microcoms represent larger parts of the ‘body’.
● Sociological FUNCTIONALISM, where all of society’s vital role and execution of duties is
what keeps society in structure
‘Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’ - Inspector Goole
● Direct address of Mr Birling - Inspector attacks the microcosm for individualistic capitalist
members of society. Mirrors his abrupt socialist interruption in ‘sharp ring of the doorbell’.
May allude to the interruption of the landslide Conservative government by 1945.
● ‘Public’ - connotes authority figures such as royalty and significant stakeholders. In an
accusatory tone, Inspector mocks and belittles Mr Birling’s fleeting status. Alternatively -
dependent on Conservative ideology and individualistic priorities.
● ‘Privileges’ - plosive sound, accusing of the nouveau riche and bourgeoisie's
dependence on challenging and opposing new socialist norms. Alternatively - white
collar crime. Those like Eric and Mr Birling can get some financial immunity from
punishment for debaucherous and criminal acts of theft and sexual assault.
Priestley limits the Inspector’s power as he is dismissed as the rightful moral guide to
older capitalists who are entrenched in traditionalist ideology, in order to highlight the
conservative attitudes of older generations to legitimise their social superiority.
‘Naturally, I knew nothing about that girl’ - Mrs Birling
● Mrs B attempts to deflect the blame of social responsibility for Eva’s death and
unfortunate circumstance. She is belligerent, careless and beyond reproach.
● ‘Naturally’ - traditionalist ideology, Mrs Birling finds that all class systems are inherent to
society and do not prioritise the proletariat by pure luck. Alternatively - her dependence
on her inherited name and status. Morally inept and secretive. She knows no other life
than to remain defined by society’s constructional chains.
● ‘That’ - determiner, used to ostracise eva from herself, and exert status to show her
unwillingness to socially adapt to new ideologies
● Bourgeoisie women like Mrs Birling selfishly upholds patriarchal beliefs by belittling the
working-class women like Eva, to solidify their power at the top of the hierarchy. The
emancipation of women means her social downfall and therefore she defies the
Inspector’s moral teachings and compass to revolve around societal perceptions.
