Dramatic function of characters
Inspector Goole -
● He is the hero of the story.
● He tells the characters of their misdeeds (evil or illegal acts).
● He encourages them to change their ways and become better people
Older Birlings and Gerald -
● Neither Gerald nor the older Birlings accept any responsibility for Eva’s death,
even after they’re told the consequences of their actions.
● Both also refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoings (illegal or dishonest
behaviour).
● The audience cannot be sure that Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and Gerald won’t
repeat these actions in the future.
● They could be called ‘antagonists’ because they seem to cause problems in
the text and stand in the way of the Inspector’s attempts to make wrongs right.
Eric and Sheila -
Accept responsibility -
● Despite their evil actions, they become more likeable because they accept
responsibility.
● They also encourage their parents to do so.
Mature -
● We feel that Sheila and Eric have learnt something from the experience.
● They begin as spoiled, self-indulgent (tend to do exactly what they want) and
irresponsible children. But, because of Inspector Goole’s stepping in, they
change and become more mature young adults.
● The audience trusts that Sheila and Eric will not make the same mistakes
again.
Agents of change -
Inspector Goole -
● He is the hero of the story.
● He tells the characters of their misdeeds (evil or illegal acts).
● He encourages them to change their ways and become better people
Older Birlings and Gerald -
● Neither Gerald nor the older Birlings accept any responsibility for Eva’s death,
even after they’re told the consequences of their actions.
● Both also refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoings (illegal or dishonest
behaviour).
● The audience cannot be sure that Mr Birling, Mrs Birling and Gerald won’t
repeat these actions in the future.
● They could be called ‘antagonists’ because they seem to cause problems in
the text and stand in the way of the Inspector’s attempts to make wrongs right.
Eric and Sheila -
Accept responsibility -
● Despite their evil actions, they become more likeable because they accept
responsibility.
● They also encourage their parents to do so.
Mature -
● We feel that Sheila and Eric have learnt something from the experience.
● They begin as spoiled, self-indulgent (tend to do exactly what they want) and
irresponsible children. But, because of Inspector Goole’s stepping in, they
change and become more mature young adults.
● The audience trusts that Sheila and Eric will not make the same mistakes
again.
Agents of change -
