Inspector Goole Quotes
Inspector Goole plays an important role in An Inspector Calls. However, we must first study his character to comprehend Inspector Goole Quotes.
Character Notes for Inspector Goole
The Inspector is fifty years old and wearing a dark, basic suit.
At first glance, he appears to be a typical Brumley police inspector, but in the end, he’s something darker, maybe even paranormal.
The Inspector ‘need not be a huge guy, but he conveys at once an image of massiveness, firmness and purposefulness’ according to JB Priestly.
All of the Birling family members are questioned by Inspector Goole, including Gerald Croft and Mr. Birling’s elder brother, Sheila Birling.
Priestley writes that the Inspector has a “disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before he speaks” during these interrogations.
After learning more about his persona, we may comprehend the significance of his most famous quotes more clearly:
Inspector Goole Quotes Bank
Important Inspector Goole Quotes are arranged chronologically.
See the analysis of these Inspector Goole quotes by scrolling down after reading them.
- Powerful intimidation: “Need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness.”
- A mind-reader? “He has a troubling habit of looking intently at the person he is speaking to before he speaks. He speaks carefully and weightily.”
- A young woman passed away in the infirmary two hours ago. She had ingested a significant amount of potent disinfectant, which is why she was brought there this afternoon. Burned her from the inside out, naturally.”
- “Eva Smith committed suicide after “A chain of events.”
- “…It is preferable to ask for the Earth rather than take it.”
- “…It would benefit all of us if we occasionally attempted to imagine ourselves in the shoes of these young ladies, counting the cents in their tiny, dingy bedroom in the back.”
- Gerald: “And you believe that young women should be shielded from unpleasant and upsetting things?”
- “Tonight a girl passed away. A lovely, vivacious girl who never caused damage to anyone. However, she hated life and died in anguish and suffering.
- “If there is no other option, we must admit our guilt together.”
- “Mr. Birling, public men have duties in addition to privileges.”
- “You’re a parent. You had to be aware of her emotions. And you hit her in the face with the door.
- “Be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I don’t require any more information. You don’t either. This girl had a terrible death when she committed herself. But you all had a hand in killing her. Recall that. Never overlook it. But again, I don’t suppose you ever will (he carefully scans each of them one after the other). Recall your actions.
- But keep this in mind. Although one Eva Smith is no longer with us, there are still millions upon millions of John Smiths and Eva Smiths with us, each with their own lives, dreams, fears, suffering, and opportunities for happiness all of which are entwined with our own, influencing our thoughts, words, and deeds. We live in a community. We belong to the same body. Each of us is accountable to the other. And I assure you that the day will come when men will be taught that lesson via fire, blood, and agony if they do not understand it. Good night.
Now that we have studied Inspector Goole’s Quotes, we will evaluate the most important ones:
Inspector Goole Quotes- Analysis
Having viewed Inspector Goole’s Quotes, we must comprehend their meaning.
- Arriving at a crucial moment, he interrupts Mr. Birling’s self-centered beliefs, saying, “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own,” before a front doorbell rings sharply. It is the Inspector’s responsibility to demonstrate that this is untrue.
- While Mr. and Mrs. Birling use the pronoun “I,” the Inspector uses “we.” Priestley draws a line between the self-serving ambitions of the Birlings and his message of group responsibility.
- He gives off “an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness,” according to the stage directions. He takes over from Mr. Birling right away and maintains control the entire time. The Inspector swiftly regains control after Mr. Birling tries to do so ineffectively (the Inspector interrupts Birling “cutting through, massively”). Nothing deters Goole from his goal as each of them crumbles, and he stays unwavering.
- The Inspector lets Sheila acknowledge her part on her own because he knows she feels bad. She is astounded by the Inspector’s candor, demonstrating his strength, cunning, and intriguing personality.
- He is there to question and look at things. He’s used to ‘looking hard’ at the subject of his questioning before he speaks. The characters feel uneasy about this.
- He is in charge of the play. He meticulously oversees the probe, addressing “one line of inquiry at a time.” As such, he is in charge of the play’s framework. Could that be Priestley’s voice? The audience’s conscience?
- He serves as a teacher, imparting to the audience and each character the value of social duty.
- Goole’s assertion that “We are members of one body” may have been a reference to the Bible. His claim implies a moral person with biblical virtues like compassion and love.
- He makes the protagonists feel bad about their role in Eva Smith’s demise by using strong, graphic language, such as “she died in misery and agony.”
Priestley's Message (audience impact intended)
Goole remains unchanged. Priestley’s message in terms of character development is that the Inspector has already discovered his morality. Goole is among the few characters who remain unchanged throughout the play. He doesn’t waver in his assertiveness at all during the action. But as the play goes on, he has more and more authority over the characters.
- He speaks for Priestley and embodies his firm moral principles. As seen by his play’s ending, his goal is to force the characters to adopt a new perspective, accept responsibility for their actions, and begin to accept one another.
- He intensifies the drama by timing his entrances and exits to generate the most suspense (for example, when he interrupts Gerald and Sheila’s talk at the end of Act 1).
- He is in charge of the play’s structure; every revelation advances the plot.
