What is the role of the inspector in the play?The role of the inspector in the play is to show that the capitalists are completely and morally wrong by challenging a wealthy upper class family , the “Birlings”. Written after World War II, this is a time when there was socialist control, so most of the audience would favor socialist views and despise capitalist views. JB Priestley's job is to show what England was like in the early 20th century. The play shows what the country was like under capitalist rule by showing the audience the case of Eva Smith's death. The play is set in 1912, a time when there was no welfare state in control, and it aims to show the audience what the rich were doing to the poor, as it was written in 1945. Birling already shows to people his arrogance at the beginning when he says: to Gerald "The world is developing so fast that it will make war impossible". In the beginning the arrogance of the capitalists is shown as JB Priestley points out the irony of Birlings speech (As two wars happen right after) highlighting the capitalist arrogance. The inspector rings the bell just after Birling's speech as if to show that he is challenging Birling's authority. Birling tries to maintain his authority by offering the inspector a drink, the inspector steadfastly refuses to show the audience that he has no time for "small talk." The name of the inspector is very disturbing because he relates to "Ghoul", which would suggest something supernatural about him The inspector continues to ask Birling questions because he doesn't like Birling's way of thinking and his arrogance, eventually the inspector becomes. the main man as he did. Birling's pride and arrogance take over as he becomes impatient with the inspector, implying that B.... .. middle of paper ... could have felt Overall, JB Priestley uses the inspector to publicize his socialist views across the country and shows how poorly the poor have been treated by the rich. The inspector's final speech is addressed to the audience as well as to the characters in the play. He tells the audience: "One Eva Smith is gone, there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths." , indicating that there are many more people suffering this way. . JB Priestley creates a mystery as he seems to know everything that happened before it actually happened "be in fire and blood and anguish tonight". The inspector leaves a big impression on Eric and Sheila, paving the way for a new generation. This is relevant to modern times because there is now a welfare state that never existed in 1912 and there is a free health service. JB Priestley gives us a picture of how the poor suffered under capitalist rule