Character Analysis — The Inspector & Sheila

The Inspector and Sheila are the two most important characters for understanding Priestley's message. The Inspector is the moral voice of the play — Priestley's mouthpiece. Sheila is the character who changes the most — she represents hope for the younger generation. This lesson analyses both characters in depth, with key quotes and examiner guidance.

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Inspector Goole

Who Is He?

This is one of the great questions of the play — and Priestley deliberately leaves it unanswered. Inspector Goole might be:

Interpretation	Evidence
A real police inspector	He knows detailed facts about Eva's life
A supernatural being / ghost	His name "Goole" sounds like "ghoul"; he knows the future
A time traveller	He knows about the death before it happens
The characters' collective conscience	He forces each one to confront their own guilt
A manifestation of social justice	He represents the moral reckoning that society faces
Priestley's mouthpiece	His speeches articulate Priestley's socialist beliefs directly