The inspector investigates the mysterious death of Eva Smith and holds each character responsible for her demise. He represents socialist ideals of societal responsibility and equality. Through imposing physical presence and probing questions, the inspector exposes the faults of each character and catalyzes changes in their views, particularly in Sheila. His omniscience makes the characters anxious and ashamed as he strips away their pretenses.

1. ANALYSING THE ROLE OF
THE INSPECTOR
The name; physical description; his views;
morality; impressions; catalyst

2. The Name
• ‘Ghoul’ ghost – not really there?
• Inspects mysterious deaths – only exists because of Eva
Smith’s death. Morbid existence.
• ‘Yes recently transferred’ – her death is cause of his
existence.
• Omniscient views of Eva Smith.
• Different spelling – Goole not Ghoul could represent that
fact that he different.
• ‘Blood fire and anguish’ warns them of war. Morbid topic,
threatening – sees the future.

3. Physical Description
• ‘Need not be a big man’ - because his presence is big
enough to give his suspects a sense of fear towards him.
• Physical presence overpowers the Birlings – invades their
space through his language, he’s in their home, never
leaves the stage until he’s finished.
• ‘Dressed in plain darkish suit of the period’ – (repression
of) lower class, ominous.
• Adds pressure through eye contact. QUOTE NEEDED.
• Size suggests he represents large community – reinforced
by ‘plain’ clothing.

4. His Views
• Socialist – ‘We are members of one body. We are
responsible for each other’.
• To Mr B - ‘You started it’. Capitalism is to blame for Eva’s
death/the future war & suffering of lower class.
• Abruptness - opinionated and against their views. Lacks
tolerance.
• Represents the domino effect – ‘millions and millions of
Eva Smiths and John Smiths’
• Butterfly effect/ripple effect – small events have big
consequences.

5. Morality
• He knows Eric better than his family does ‘He needs a
drink now’
• Change is needed – socialist uprising otherwise there will
be a world of ‘blood and fire and anguish’. This will be
the consequence if we don’t equalise the moral balance.
• ‘Citizens and criminals there isn’t much difference’ – all
equal and should be treated the same. Everyone is
equally to blame.
• ‘end tragically […] it ought to have done’ – inspector has
taught Sheila to change her ways.
• Conscience of society. – Not just ‘socialism’ about right or
wrong.
• ‘He inspected us alright’.

6. Impressions
• The fact he knows so much about them makes them
anxious of others’ judgements.
• Lots of imperatives (command verbs) to show that he
holds the power: ‘Stop and listen to me’.
• Invades a family dinner – throws them off balance.
• ‘Looking hard at the person he addresses before actually
speaking’ – he is omniscient. Looking into them. Eye of
society.
• ‘Public men Mr B have responsibilities as well as
privileges’ – he will accuse them individually and not just
as a social group and make them ashamed.
• Mrs B’s reaction to him.

7. Catalyst
• Everybody changes around – particularly evident in
Sheila. ‘So nothing really happened’ ‘We can all go on
behaving just as we did (sarcasm)’
• The fact that the ‘fictitious’ situation he initially
presents the Birlings and the audience with comes true,
suggests inevitability.
• ‘Are you sure you don’t know?’ Attempts to expose the
fact that the Birlings are pretending. Adds pressure and
makes Birling think.
• Sheila begins to recognise his omniscience.