The Role of the Inspector

... In "An Inspector Calls", the Inspector is the most important character. He creates big impressions and somehow reveals all about the Birling family and Gerald Croft. He makes some of the characters realise what they are really like, and wrecks an evening of celebration. He enters in a most appropriate way, as it states "dressed in a darkish suit of the period". He speaks very carefully, and creates "an impression of massiveness". J.B Priestley makes the Inspector have a big impression to make him feel senior to the Birlings. When addressing a person he has a habit of staring at the person before talking. Initially this is to let them know he is going to talk to them so they can prepare themselves for their questioning or to intimidate the person so that they feel overpowered. He behaves, at first, in a way that a normal inspector would.

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