The Inspector Mr Birling Sheila
Physical “plain darkish suit” – vague Patriarchal Superficial engagement – “really feel engaged”
Appearance and “need not be a big man, but he creates at Not traditionally from a background of wealth. – physical token and visual marker of
portrayal once an impression of massiveness, “substantial and heavily comfortable but not ownership. Extended metaphor of how
solidity and purposefulness” – physical cosy of homelike” – indicates the great marriage is founded on strategic upward social
appearance is unimportant as his wealth, but cosmetic feel “heavy looking” mobility
message of social responsibility is more “provincial” speech and unrefined etiquette. Jealous tendencies – immature of her own
important Has a desire to ensure his status as belonging beauty. Sheila’s grief was increased as Eva was
Purpose is to denounce the to the upper echelons of society due to initial pretty – warped view of the world. Initial
commercialism and superficiality of social inferiority negative perception by audience and shallow
capitalism personality. “pretty girl in her early twenties”
Direct opposite of Birlings
Morality Almost exempt from the immortality and Resistant to change and reluctant to accept Represents younger generation,
corruption of society responsibility – rejection of socialism as impressionable. She initially is benefitting from
“no, thank you... I’m on duty” – refusal is “nonsense” being of upper class but soon begins acting as
symbolic of his refusing to act immorally. Instant catharsis when the prospect of the conscience of the Birling family. Her moral
Capitalism causes immortality and criminal record is no longer apparent, due to conscience is important because she feels guilt
socialism morality inspector not being real and remorse
Views Socialist views – Priestley Capitalism personified – “lower costs and Initially a naïve and childish young lady.
Inspector’s views are noticeably too higher prices” – pompous and portentous However, her youthfulness is responsible for
progressive for the pre-suffrage 1912 perspective, he values the prospect of her assimilation of the Inspector’s message “we
society and more aligned with those of a increase profit over daughter’s joy in often do on the young ones. They’re more
contemporary audience engagement impressionable.”
“public men... have responsibility as well Attempts to bribe the inspector – “I’d give
as privilege” thousands” to prevent losing wealth and
social status – individualism
Views on Eva Views her with significance Trivialises his role in Eva’s suicide. Reject Character most similar to Eva Smith. Created by
“promising little life” claims that his actions began the “chain of Priestley to demonstrate the impact women’s
His morality is due to his awareness of events” upbringing have upon their lives. Class enables
social responsibility and the impact of Has worked for his high social status and sees her to live carefree. However, these similar
individuals’ actions himself as proof that if the lower classes work characteristics enable the audience to feel more
hard enough, they too can succeed like he did: empathy between Sheila and Eva.
"a man has to make his own way - has to look
, after himself
Symbolism Omniscient yet not omnipotent Static character and symbolic of selfish Ideal recipient of the Inspector’s message –
Shocking imagery “burnt her inside out” capitalist higher middle-class. Sheila’s conviction become more open to the
and persuasion to evoke empathy Mr Birling “jovially” displays his happiness as Inspector’s “these girls aren’t cheap labour,
Agent of God – nature of the enquiry is he doesn’t have to worry about social they’re people”
moral rather than criminal. He sets about responsibility. Priestley intended for him to be “she goes closer to him wonderingly” – physical
forcing confessions of vices from the a vehicle for capitalism and a source of movement towards the inspector is a reflection
characters, similar to the role of a priest. opposition to positive change. of Sheila’s mindset changing
Uses religious imagery “we are members He must be completely dislikeable, so She continues to act as the Inspector’s proxy
of one body” – the inspector is speaking Priestley is able to gain support of the younger after he has left. She understands the greater
on God’s behalf generation significance of the Inspector as a moral
teaching, rather than just the threat of
prosecution as she realises his omniscience
Relationships Antithesis to Mr Birling – his reliability is Marriage to Mrs Birling – “her husband’s Rejection of parents – views imposed on Sheila
with other destroyed by Priestley’s use of dramatic social superior” – their marriage was a are rejected, rebellion is critical to didactic
characters irony “there’s no chance of war” transaction, lack of love and intimacy “have to nature of play “Mother I think it was cruel and
ideological debate between socialism and get used to it, just as I did” – unhappiness vile” no longer infantized by parents
capitalism, extended metaphor for caused by capitalist system Hysteria – used as a means to control women.
socialism ending the precedence of Father – son relationship – lack of familial Unfeminine traits symptomatic of hysteria,
capitalism in the global/ historical connection. Divide between young and old. He serving as a method to force women to adhere
narrative attempts to lecture Eric “a man has to make to predefined gender roles. “behaving like a
Conversion of Sheila – symbolic of his own way” – largely this fails to resonate hysterical child” The accusation of hysteria is
Priestley’s intended character response. with Eric however they still share some used as an effective method to attack Sheila
Sheila’s changed attitude to Gerald connection – exploitation of Eva personally, rather than the socialist ideas that
becomes symbolic of whether the Mr Birling’s foil – the inspector acts as a she attempts to argue. This form of ad
younger generation will accept the past comparison of the ideologies of the two hominem allows the Birlings and Gerald to
Eva as a symbol – “there are millions and characters. The concept of rugged continue their lives of privilege, without
millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths” – individualism proposed by Mr Birling is worrying about social responsibility.
Eva’s significance extends beyond her as contrasted by the Inspector. Power struggle – Engagement to Gerald – symbolic of her
an individual and inflicts guilt, catalysing tries to intimidate the Inspector and retain accepting corruption. “Is it the one you wanted
change within them. authority “Lord mayor two years ago” me to have” reveals control Gerald had over
The Inspector acknowledges the however, this leaves the inspector unaffected Sheila, at end rejecting individualistic school of
widespread suffering of the lower classes thought
Physical “plain darkish suit” – vague Patriarchal Superficial engagement – “really feel engaged”
Appearance and “need not be a big man, but he creates at Not traditionally from a background of wealth. – physical token and visual marker of
portrayal once an impression of massiveness, “substantial and heavily comfortable but not ownership. Extended metaphor of how
solidity and purposefulness” – physical cosy of homelike” – indicates the great marriage is founded on strategic upward social
appearance is unimportant as his wealth, but cosmetic feel “heavy looking” mobility
message of social responsibility is more “provincial” speech and unrefined etiquette. Jealous tendencies – immature of her own
important Has a desire to ensure his status as belonging beauty. Sheila’s grief was increased as Eva was
Purpose is to denounce the to the upper echelons of society due to initial pretty – warped view of the world. Initial
commercialism and superficiality of social inferiority negative perception by audience and shallow
capitalism personality. “pretty girl in her early twenties”
Direct opposite of Birlings
Morality Almost exempt from the immortality and Resistant to change and reluctant to accept Represents younger generation,
corruption of society responsibility – rejection of socialism as impressionable. She initially is benefitting from
“no, thank you... I’m on duty” – refusal is “nonsense” being of upper class but soon begins acting as
symbolic of his refusing to act immorally. Instant catharsis when the prospect of the conscience of the Birling family. Her moral
Capitalism causes immortality and criminal record is no longer apparent, due to conscience is important because she feels guilt
socialism morality inspector not being real and remorse
Views Socialist views – Priestley Capitalism personified – “lower costs and Initially a naïve and childish young lady.
Inspector’s views are noticeably too higher prices” – pompous and portentous However, her youthfulness is responsible for
progressive for the pre-suffrage 1912 perspective, he values the prospect of her assimilation of the Inspector’s message “we
society and more aligned with those of a increase profit over daughter’s joy in often do on the young ones. They’re more
contemporary audience engagement impressionable.”
“public men... have responsibility as well Attempts to bribe the inspector – “I’d give
as privilege” thousands” to prevent losing wealth and
social status – individualism
Views on Eva Views her with significance Trivialises his role in Eva’s suicide. Reject Character most similar to Eva Smith. Created by
“promising little life” claims that his actions began the “chain of Priestley to demonstrate the impact women’s
His morality is due to his awareness of events” upbringing have upon their lives. Class enables
social responsibility and the impact of Has worked for his high social status and sees her to live carefree. However, these similar
individuals’ actions himself as proof that if the lower classes work characteristics enable the audience to feel more
hard enough, they too can succeed like he did: empathy between Sheila and Eva.
"a man has to make his own way - has to look
, after himself
Symbolism Omniscient yet not omnipotent Static character and symbolic of selfish Ideal recipient of the Inspector’s message –
Shocking imagery “burnt her inside out” capitalist higher middle-class. Sheila’s conviction become more open to the
and persuasion to evoke empathy Mr Birling “jovially” displays his happiness as Inspector’s “these girls aren’t cheap labour,
Agent of God – nature of the enquiry is he doesn’t have to worry about social they’re people”
moral rather than criminal. He sets about responsibility. Priestley intended for him to be “she goes closer to him wonderingly” – physical
forcing confessions of vices from the a vehicle for capitalism and a source of movement towards the inspector is a reflection
characters, similar to the role of a priest. opposition to positive change. of Sheila’s mindset changing
Uses religious imagery “we are members He must be completely dislikeable, so She continues to act as the Inspector’s proxy
of one body” – the inspector is speaking Priestley is able to gain support of the younger after he has left. She understands the greater
on God’s behalf generation significance of the Inspector as a moral
teaching, rather than just the threat of
prosecution as she realises his omniscience
Relationships Antithesis to Mr Birling – his reliability is Marriage to Mrs Birling – “her husband’s Rejection of parents – views imposed on Sheila
with other destroyed by Priestley’s use of dramatic social superior” – their marriage was a are rejected, rebellion is critical to didactic
characters irony “there’s no chance of war” transaction, lack of love and intimacy “have to nature of play “Mother I think it was cruel and
ideological debate between socialism and get used to it, just as I did” – unhappiness vile” no longer infantized by parents
capitalism, extended metaphor for caused by capitalist system Hysteria – used as a means to control women.
socialism ending the precedence of Father – son relationship – lack of familial Unfeminine traits symptomatic of hysteria,
capitalism in the global/ historical connection. Divide between young and old. He serving as a method to force women to adhere
narrative attempts to lecture Eric “a man has to make to predefined gender roles. “behaving like a
Conversion of Sheila – symbolic of his own way” – largely this fails to resonate hysterical child” The accusation of hysteria is
Priestley’s intended character response. with Eric however they still share some used as an effective method to attack Sheila
Sheila’s changed attitude to Gerald connection – exploitation of Eva personally, rather than the socialist ideas that
becomes symbolic of whether the Mr Birling’s foil – the inspector acts as a she attempts to argue. This form of ad
younger generation will accept the past comparison of the ideologies of the two hominem allows the Birlings and Gerald to
Eva as a symbol – “there are millions and characters. The concept of rugged continue their lives of privilege, without
millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths” – individualism proposed by Mr Birling is worrying about social responsibility.
Eva’s significance extends beyond her as contrasted by the Inspector. Power struggle – Engagement to Gerald – symbolic of her
an individual and inflicts guilt, catalysing tries to intimidate the Inspector and retain accepting corruption. “Is it the one you wanted
change within them. authority “Lord mayor two years ago” me to have” reveals control Gerald had over
The Inspector acknowledges the however, this leaves the inspector unaffected Sheila, at end rejecting individualistic school of
widespread suffering of the lower classes thought
