Although this play was set in the year nineteen twelve, it was first performed in nineteen forty-five. This would enable the viewers to recognise foolish predictions made by characters in the play. When Birling says the Titanic is “Unsinkable” and that there is “No chance of war”, the audience would automatically recognise him as a character that has an overly confident view of the world. The play represents left wing views from The Inspector. Before he leaves in the end of Act Three, he says: “We are all members of one body. We are not alone. We are responsible for each other.
And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish. ” For those who had just experienced the Second World War and some, who had lived through the First World War, they would be emotionally struck by these words. The audience can infer from these words that The Inspector is wise. It is unsurprising that the play was first performed in Moscow, as Priestley wanted to show the play to those with left wing views before showing it to those with mixed political views.
Goole is a strange name for an inspector as the name represents a spirit or phantom. Inspector Goole is an interesting character. Although he can be harsh, he can be reasonable, although he can be judgemental, he can be sympathetic. Most of all, Inspector Goole constantly demonstrates his omniscience and omnipotence, and creates an atmosphere of uncertainty around the Birling household. After showing Birling the photograph of Eva Smith, other characters request to “see the photo”. The Inspector says “No” as he will deal with, “one line of inquiry at a time”, which illustrate his complete control.
When Sheila enters the room in Act One she asks The Inspector “What is happening? ” The Inspector tells her that her father was involved with the suicide of a pregnant girl and says, “It’s not just your father who’s involved”, which suggests he is omniscient. The Inspector is also reasonable; when those who have admitted their guilt are prepared to face their responsibilities, he gives them an easier time and stands up for them. For those who don’t admit their wrongdoing, The Inspector continues to judge them and attempts to force the truth out of them.
On those who don’t accept they have done wrong he is harsh, and vice-versa. The Inspector clearly displays Priestley’s left wing views and voices his socialist ideas. Arthur Birling, in short, is a directly opposite character to The Inspector. Birling is a right-wing man and is strictly against communism. He is too conceited, and is too concerned with changing social class to care about other people’s misfortunes. The stage direction says, “At the moment they are all having a good dinner and are pleased with themselves”.
Birling is particularly cheerful because his daughter, Sheila, is engaged to Gerald Croft who is in the aristocracy. This is excellent for the Birling family as they’re a socially mobile family. He also seems to think that he “might find [his] way into the next honours list”. His aspirations are ironically undercut later in the play. Birling has no consideration for those less fortunate than himself. When The Inspector mentions Eva’s suicide in Act One, Birling says, “Yes, yes. Horrid business, But I don’t see why you should come here…
” Shortly after this impatient reply, The Inspector reveals the name of the victim. Suddenly Birling starts to think and is then reminded by The Inspector that she was an ex-employee of his. Birling replies, “It happened more than eighteen months ago – nearly two years ago” which implies that other problems may have entered her life that would have led her to suicide. Birling tries to distance the case from his concern to try to make himself appear innocent. The Inspector refuses this and says, “What happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards”.
