J. B Priestley's Use Of The Inspector In The Crucible

Priestley effectively employs the Inspector as a dramatic device by using him as a symbol for justice, morality and truth. His entrance in Act 1 interrupts the Birlings’ dinner party and leads to a sense of tension and a growing awareness about the characters’ secrets. This leads to conflict between the Birlings, furthering the Inspectors questioning and probing. Through this, Priestley creates a powerful moment in which the characters must face their own shame and accountability. The Inspector's function in the play is to question the Birlings' presumptions and beliefs as well as get them to consider their own actions. Mr. Birling, on the other hand, serves as a symbol of the prevailing capitalist mentality. His words frequently stand in sharp

Priestley demonstrates the theme of wealth, power and influence as Mr Birling acts callously towards the Inspector. However he is not affected by Mr Birling’s cruel disregard for the lower class and indifference towards the wellbeing of those he considers as inferior to himself, linking to the theme of class politics. For example, at the end of act 3, the Inspector delivers his final speech, telling the Birlings that “If men do not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”, which once again links to class politics. Priestley is essentially warning the audience of the consequences of capitalism, showing the audience that if the bourgeoisie do not change their ways and treat the lower class more fairly and equally, they will face endless adversity and destruction; fundamentally manipulating the audience into believing one has to either be socialistic or capitalistic. The metaphor “fire and blood and anguish” gives a compelling image that insinuates conflict and the words, “fire”, “blood” and “anguish” also hints at a religious evaluation, as if the Inspector was a messenger from god. Through the character of the Inspector, Priestley advocates for the lower class and their welfare; a change in society’s attitude,

In the Inspector’s final speech, he warns Mr Birling and his family that if they continue this way, they can lead “millions and millions of Eva Smiths’ and John Smiths” into further suffering. The Inspector then exits abruptly at the end of his speech with no hesitation, he does not look back but instead walks “straight out”, implying there is no room for discussion. He firmly believes that Mr Birling (and his family) must change the way they behave. The use of dramatic irony allows Priestley to discredit Mr Birling and his exploitative school of thought while fostering his message. Mr Birling is set up to think that the Inspector was a sham and then finding out that there was in fact a suicide, giving the audience a sense that he isn’t as intelligent as he thinks which creates a negative bias towards him. Priestley's intention for this may be to make Mr Birling the antagonist, therefore promoting his views through the character of the Inspector. Which may be why Priestley has Mr Birling exit in a way that completely contrasts the Inspector’s exit. He “stares, guilt and dumbfounded”, seeming to be heavily thinking about his actions and how the whole situation was in fact not a ploy. Thus serving Mr Birling and the Inspector as effective dramatic