Question 1: Describe the character of Inspector Goole using three adjectives. Explain how these adjectives reflect his role in the play.

Answer: Possible adjectives: authoritative, moralistic, mysterious. Inspector Goole is authoritative because he commands attention and controls the investigation. He is moralistic as he emphasizes social responsibility and exposes wrongdoing. His mysterious nature is shown through his ambiguous identity and enigmatic presence, which adds tension and intrigue to the play.

Question 2: Perform a short monologue as Inspector Goole, addressing the Birlings about their social responsibilities. Use expressive voice and body language to convey authority and conviction.

Answer: Students should craft a monologue that emphasizes the inspector’s moral stance, using a firm tone, deliberate pacing, and purposeful gestures. For example, they could speak about how every action affects others, using pauses for effect and maintaining eye contact (or directed gaze) to reinforce authority.

Question 3: Compare and contrast the attitudes of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole towards social responsibility. Provide examples from the text.

Answer: Mr. Birling is largely self-interested and dismissive of social responsibility, exemplified by his belief that 'a man has to make his own way.' In contrast, Inspector Goole emphasizes collective responsibility and the importance of caring for others, as shown when he states, 'We don’t live alone. We are members of one body.' Their attitudes reflect their contrasting worldviews—selfish capitalism versus moral duty.

Question 4: Draw a scene where Mr. Birling reacts to the Inspector’s accusations. Focus on his facial expressions and body language. Describe your drawing clearly.

Answer: Students should depict Mr. Birling with a facial expression of shock or defensiveness, perhaps with wide eyes and a frown. His body language might include leaning back or raising his hands in a defensive gesture. The description should note details like tense posture, clenched fists, or a strained expression, emphasizing his discomfort and denial.

Question 5: Analyze how Priestley uses the character of Mr. Birling to reflect capitalist values of the early 20th century.

Answer: Priestley portrays Mr. Birling as a caricature of capitalism—focused on profit, status, and personal success. His dismissive attitude towards workers and social responsibility highlights the greed and arrogance associated with capitalist values of that era. Through Mr. Birling, Priestley criticizes these values and promotes the idea of social responsibility.

Question 6: Practically, improvise a scene where Inspector Goole questions a family member about their actions, using tension and interrogative tone. Record or perform the scene.

Answer: Students should create a short improvised dialogue where the inspector uses probing questions, maintains a serious tone, and employs physical gestures like pointing or leaning forward to create intensity. The performance should demonstrate control of voice pitch, pace, and gestures to build suspense and convey the inspector’s moral authority.

Question 7: Explain how the inspector’s appearance and mannerisms (e.g., clothing, voice, gestures) contribute to his role as a moral figure. Use specific examples.

Answer: The inspector’s plain, no-nonsense clothing, such as his overcoat and serious demeanor, make him appear authoritative and impartial. His calm, deliberate voice and deliberate gestures—like raising his hand to emphasize points—underscore his role as a moral judge. These choices help him stand apart from the Birlings and symbolize his role as the voice of social conscience.

Question 8: : Reflect on how Mr. Birling’s character changes during the play. Provide specific examples that show his shift in attitude or understanding.

Answer: Initially, Mr. Birling is confident and dismissive of the inspector, emphasizing individual success. As the play progresses, he becomes increasingly anxious and defensive, especially when realizing the impact of his actions. For example, his denial turns into panic and guilt, highlighting a shift from arrogance to vulnerability as his worldview is challenged.

Question 9: Describe how you would physically embody Mr. Birling in a performance. Include details about posture, gestures, and speech.

Answer: To embody Mr. Birling, a performer might adopt an upright, confident posture, with deliberate, controlled gestures like hand-shaking or pointing. His speech should be voiced confidently, with a slightly clipped tone to convey authority and self-assurance. As the character’s confidence wanes, the actor could slump slightly or fidget to show nervousness.

Question 10: Discuss the importance of dialogue and body language in revealing the personalities of Inspector Goole and Mr. Birling. Support your answer with examples.

Answer: Dialogue reveals personality traits; for instance, Inspector Goole’s calm, moral tone contrasts with Mr. Birling’s loud, dismissive speech. Body language complements this—Inspector maintains steady eye contact and controlled gestures, indicating authority, while Mr. Birling’s fidgeting and defensive stance reveal discomfort and arrogance. Together, dialogue and body language help convey their contrasting roles and personalities.