Who Is the Inspector in An Inspector Calls? Why He Matters for Your GCSE English
If you’re studying An Inspector Calls for GCSE English Literature, one of the most important characters to understand is the Inspector himself. He’s much more than a policeman asking questions - he represents Priestley’s ideas about responsibility, society and fairness.
As a former Head of English and GCSE examiner, here’s a simple, student-friendly guide to who the Inspector is, what he does, and why he’s such a crucial character for your exam.
✅ Who Is Inspector Goole?
The Inspector arrives unexpectedly at the Birling family’s home, investigating the suicide of a young woman called Eva Smith. He questions each character in turn, forcing them to admit how their actions contributed to her death.
But there’s something mysterious about him. By the end of the play, it’s not even clear if he’s a real inspector at all.
✅ What Does the Inspector Represent?
The Inspector isn’t just a character - he’s Priestley’s voice in the play. He represents:
Social responsibility: The idea that we should care about others in our community.
Justice and equality: He stands up for people who have no power or voice.
Morality: He challenges the selfishness of the upper class characters.
His famous speech about being “members of one body” sums up the play’s message.
✅ Why He’s Important in Your GCSE Exam
You’ll need to explain:
How Priestley uses the Inspector to deliver his social message.
How he affects each character, especially Sheila and Eric.
How he controls the pace and tension of the play.
The importance of his language, questions and final speech.
Final Thoughts
Getting to grips with the Inspector’s role can turn an average essay into a top-grade answer. A little extra help with unpacking quotes, practising essay questions and understanding Priestley’s message makes a huge difference in GCSE Literature.
If you’d like expert help with An Inspector Calls, GCSE essay skills or Literature revision in general, I have a limited number of tutoring slots available both online and in-person across Stockport, Cheshire, South Manchester and surrounding areas. Contact me today for a private tutoring quote - whether it’s confidence-building, exam skills or text analysis.
Visit my Contact page to get in touch.