A detailed summary of the characters in An Inspector Calls. Includes what themes each character shows + quotes from the characters + detailed explanations and contexts. Specifically made for AQA GCSE English Literature.
AN INSPECTOR CALLS - CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS WHEN THEY APPEARED IN PAPERS
The Inspector 2017 May – “How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to suggest ways that society could be
improved?”
Sheila Specimen 2014 – “How and why does Sheila change in an Inspector Calls?”
2019 May – “How does Priestley present Sheila as a character who learns important lessons about
herself and society?”
Eric 2018 May – “How far does Priestley present Eric as a character who changes his attitudes towards
himself and others during the play?”
2022 May - How far does Priestley present Eric as a character who changes his attitudes towards himself
and others during the play?
Mr. Birling 2020 May – “Mr Birling says, ‘...a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own’.
How far does Priestley present Mr Birling as a man who cares only for himself and his family?
Mrs. Birling 2017 May – “How far does Priestley present Mrs Birling as an unlikeable character?”
Gerald 2018 Specimen – “How does Priestley present Gerald’s relationships with women in An Inspector Calls?”
2021 May - How does Priestley use Gerald to explore ideas about responsibility?
Eva 2018 Specimen – “How does Priestley use Eva Smith to represent poverty in An Inspector Calls?”
Edna
, The Inspector (Inspector Goole)
CHARACTER: Inspector Goole
POINT QUOTE ANALYSIS
Ally of the •STAGE DIRECTION: lighting changes • “pink and intimate” meaning rose-tinted. Shows that the Birlings are foolish and delusional and
Working from “pink and intimate” to “brighter andare living a better life than many. However, the Inspector shifts it to “brighter and harder”. It is no
Class → harder” longer rose-tinted or innocent, as the Inspector reveals the truth, revealing the birlings’ and Geralds'
exposes the guilt.
upper •Edna introduces him. “he says his • It is no coincidence that Edna introduces the Inspector, as it symbolically allies him with the
classes’ name’s Inspector Goole”. working class.
guilt. • By focusing on the pain that Eva went through, it paints a gruesome image in audiences’ minds
• Inspector: “Burnt her inside out, of and highlights the torture the upper class put the working class through. To add to this, it would
course.” “She was in great agony”. make audience members angrier and more disgusted by the characters on stage (who were
“Suicide, of course”. ultimately responsible for her death)
• Colloquial “of course” suggests that the oppression and exploitation of working class by the upper
class is normal, and cases such as Eva Smith’s are common.
Feminist – • “pink and intimate” to “brighter and • The lightning could also be used to suggest that the Inspector was a feminist. “pink” is generally
fights harder” considered a more feminine shade, suggesting that this play is about women. This idea is furth
against reinforced as the two main focuses of the play (arguably) are Sheila and Eva.
patriarchy •Inspector says that “we should put • Feminist viewpoint (we should … pennies). Inspector focuses on the exploitation of women. He
ourselves in the place of these young highlights the fact that women earn “pennies”, showing how women are exploited in the capitalist
women counting their pennies” world.
➢ It would be important for Priestley to appeal to his female audience as they had the right
• Inspector: “If men will not learn that to vote by the time the play was written (1945). It was crucial that he pointed out how
lesson, they will be taught it in fire and poorly women were treated, ensuring that they vote socialist during the 1945 elections.
blood and anguish”. • Direct attack on patriarchy (if men..). Instead of saying “man”, which is usually used to refer to
mankind/humans, the Inspector uses “men”. This is a direct attack on the patriarchy that was
especially prominent in 1912 (in which the play was set). Patriarchy still existed in 1945 (when it
was written) but to a lesser extent. The Inspector demonstrates how men had, and still have, most
of the power and use it to their own advantage.
• Men = problem.
Supernatural • Inspector involved in Eva’s death? • “we’ll have to share our guilt” suggests that there is some supernatural involvement in Eva
– God like? Inspector: “If there’s nothing else we’ll Smith’s death. The fact that the Inspector also includes himself when he says “we’ll”, suggests that
have to share our guilt”. he also holds some responsibility in her death. Not because he exploited her as the upper class did,
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