2591429
Description
Flashcards by Alice Love, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Alice Love
over 9 years ago
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| Question | Answer |
| 'Goole' + the supernatural | Semi-comical name. Obvious + deliberately almost clumsy symbolism of supernatural. In the concluding scene, the 'real' Inspector is on his way, recapitulating the idea of supernatural. This creates a sudden reversal of the earlier semi-ccomcial impact of 'ghoul' - a dead person come back to haunt the living, is now extremely appropriate and almost horrific. At first, the audience give no thought to the timely comic name, they simply laugh at it - just as the Birlings do in reaction of Eva's death. In the same way, the Billings casual dismissal of the Inspector is premature. The initial comedy gives way to horror as the consequences of their actions catch up with them, a sense of the supernatural creating a chilling effect. |
| Ancient dramatic convention 'deus ex machina' | God coming from heavens to intervene in human affairs. This is suggested by Inspector, who is more than simply human. But instead of warning of a divine apocalypse, he warns of a social revolution. 1) His final speech is like a sermon, using the biblical metaphor for human race: 'members of one body.' His moral exhortation speaks to 'you' - directly to Birlings but also audience. 2) Sheila reacts to Inspector with dread + fear, she warns Mrs B that she shouldn't let the Inspector 'start' on them, as if he is a terrible antagonist. 3) His exact origin is never explained. Factors combine to create a sense of awe appropriate to interpreting his as a semi-divine messenger - a 'deus ex machina.' |
| role as an 'Inspector' | Important in dramatic impact of play. Ironically, his social rank is beneath Birling. This juxtaposition exposes Birling's social climbing aspirations as petty + shallow e.g. Birling's attempts to corruptly dominate Inspector by threats of sabotaging his career. The inspector has natural authority (overrides Birling's instructions to now allow Eric a 'drink') His initial reserved politeness is replaced with 'massive presence' -> dramatic hyperbole so audience appreciates his natural moral authority. Inspector is symbolic of moral and legal authority of police force. 'Inspect[ing]' implies carefully sifting thro' actions of Birlings in detailed + objective manner. Objectivity + legal precision in Inspector's character make audience respect him + encourages them to trust his investigation. |
| Counterbalances authority with moments of emotive + empathetic humanity | Depth to character, ensure that despite possessing fearful persona, he remains sympathetic to audience. Speaks 'gravely' to Gerald, shows he's emotionally engage with severity of situation. Reflected when suggests that ;we; should more often 'put ourselves in the place' of those 'counting their pennies.' 1st person plural creates sense of common humanity between Inspector + audience. His sympathy for the weak show when he tells Birling to 'look at him' when referring to Eric's emotional state. He is also given humorous lines, jokes 'dryly' about not playing 'golf' (a game that epitomises wealth and leisure) + creates bathos when Eric says 'It's a damn shame.' There is more to his character than mere authoritarianism, so the audience warms to him + trusts him. |
| Juxtaposition of the Inspector's moral superiority with the superficial social pretension of the Billings makes the Inspector seem sympathetic | Birling says Inspector has made a 'nasty mess' of family celebration, Inspector says someone made a 'nasty mess' of Eva's life. The dramatic impact of this symbolic parallel is that the Billings life evolves around ornate social occasion, in effect paid for by the blood + misery of the working class. This pattern of juxtaposition continues throughout, the morality of the Inspector and immorality of the Birlings creates a antithesis that forces audience to side with Inspector. The Inspector's reaction to the Billings shapes the audience's reaction, we trust him so we trust his moral verdicts. In a rare moment of anger, the Inspector says stop 'stammering + yammering' + 'I've had enough of you people.' The colloquialism humanises him, and makes him seem more working class. Priestley makes the audience side with the Inspector to ensure they feel a sense of disgust + revolution towards the Billings and those whom they represent. |
| Conclusion | The inspector is a figure of drama and awe, but is also human and sympathetic. Thus, the audience is prepared to fully accept his moral message, which seems to be Priestley's didactic intention. |
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