How Does Priestly Present Inspector Goole in the Play, Inspector Calls

How does Priestley present Inspector Goole and what effect does he have on the other characters and the audience?

Within the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ Inspector Goole is perceived in a multitude of different ways as each character interprets him in differently. Priestley creates a unique presence through Inspector Goole’s mannerisms and diction, giving him a personality that stands out from the other characters whilst also making him an ambiguous figure who can be seen as a human philosophist or a means of plot development rather than a character.

Priestley presents Inspector Goole as superior compared to the other characters, evoking a pressuring atmosphere surrounding him. Priestley describes Goole right before his entry as someone who “[creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness]”. Priestly intriguingly depicts Inspector Goole’s prowess through his mannerisms and presence rather than through class or status. At the time of the play, the respect given to people and the influence they had over others was heavily dependent on where they stood in the class system. Prior to Goole’s entrance, Mr. Birling spoke ambitiously of becoming an upper-classman after Sheila’s marriage with Gerald Croft, who he respected as a member of the upper class. This is not the case for Inspector Goole. Priestly implies that Inspector Goole is someone who has no regard for the class system. He acts as if he has transcended the class system and is above those who still cling to it, and whose ambitions revolve around it. Priestley’s description of Inspector Goole is said prior to his entrance and is presented as an actor’s note rather than a line delivered by one of the characters. This is significant as it shows that Inspector Goole’s superior prowess is obvious and can be felt without knowing the character nor his purpose. This creates a sense of tension as Goole’s presence is both unique and massive even though the characters and audience are oblivious to what he is there to do, opening an opportunity to imagine the worst.

His predominance is displayed again through Sheila after she tries to convince her mother to not conceal the reality and not to “create a wall” between herself and the truth as “the Inspector will just break it down”. This symbolizes the supremacy Inspector Goole has over Sheila and her mind, as she stops considering to go against him as a possibility. At this point, Sheila sees him as an unstoppable force or moreover, an inevitable guilt rather than a tangible being that can be persuaded or reasoned with. It as if she is forced to accept him and his claims rather than deny them. This again reveals his influential personality and aura, as he is able to turn Sheila against her family as she sides with the Inspectors dominance rather her loyalty to her family. We see this again as Sheila says to her mother, “No, he’s giving us rope – so that we can hang ourselves”. Sheila herself sees the situation as hopeless as she feels as though the Inspector is in full control of the situation and talks to them as if it was a game, going according to his plan. This stimulates a sense of anxiety within the audience as we see how much the inspector can do and begin to wonder how far the Inspector is planning to take his interrogation.

Inspector Goole is portrayed ambiguously, creating a sense of mystery within his character and claims. Toward the end of the play, before Inspector Goole exits, he begins to lecture the Birling family, saying “if men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.” Here his speech begins to address concepts beyond this world and adopts more religious concepts. This goes against the contemporary diction of people at the time. Most men would focus on business and would aim to escalate within the class system. Many people focused their sight on the world around them, not as concerned with anything else. This sets Inspector Goole apart from the rest of the people around as he is a strange and unique presence within the time the play was set in. This difference between the contemporary mannerisms in comparison to his evokes a sense of suspense as he becomes an unpredictable character that goes against the main principles of the time and whose personality leaves both the audience and the characters he interacts with uneasy and self-conscious.

His enigmatic personality is also displayed through his conduct and actions. Near the end of act one, he leaves Sheila and Gerald alone and Sheila begins to personally interrogate her fiance. Once she finishes “[the door suddenly opens and the inspector appears, looking steadily and searchingly at them]”. Inspector Goole suspiciously enters the room again at the perfect time. This suggests that the Inspector knows something that we as the audience do not know or do not see, concealing further his already mysterious character. Throughout the play, characters hesitate when defining the Inspector and his purpose, as his confidence and mannerisms go against the average person of 1912, the year it was set. Priestly interestingly states that the Inspector should be “[looking steadily and searchingly]”. Though the Inspector was not in the room, he knows that the situation had developed while he was gone and is merely waiting for what he knows to be said aloud. The Inspector is portrayed as an almost omniscient being rather than a human being. Throughout the play, he is set apart from the other characters and does not truly reveal his personality, creating an ominous atmosphere around him as no one truly knows who he is or how he knows so much. This confuses the audience as they begin to question the reality and purpose of Inspector Goole himself, whether really is a character or something that transcends reality.