How Does Priestley Use Dramatic Irony In An Inspector Calls

Furthermore, Priestley employs the use of dramatic irony to control the reader’s developing view of Mr. Birling. This is evidenced by his series of predictions about the future world he envisions, seen in the quotation: “…A friend of mine went over this new liner last week - the Titanic - she sails next week - forty-six thousand eight hundred tons - forty-six thousand eight hundred tons - New York in five days - and every luxury - and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable…” Since the audience knows that the Titanic does actually sink, we want to laugh at Mr. Birling’s absolute certainty that this will not occur evidenced through his repetition of the word “unsinkable.” The fact that that Mr. Birling is unable to conceive the possibility of the

His parents, Sir George and Lady Croft, are above the Birlings socially, and Mr. Birling is worried about the possibility that his daughter is not approved by Gerald’s parents – possibly due to economic reasons. Priestly describes him as “an attractive chap, about thirty … but very much the easy well-bred young-man-about-town.” He is viewed as a charming and kind figure, seen through his polite manner and in quotations such as: “…I believe you’re right, sir [Mr. Birling]…” Here, the word “sir” indicates respect towards Mr. Birling, which is significant as it reveals his incredible love for Sheila: he is willing to be on the same social level as the Birlings, just to be with his lover and to impress her parents. He also shares similar opinions with Mr. Birling, seen in the phrases: “…You seem like a nice well-behaved family - / We think we are…” However, this quotation, perhaps, also shows Gerald’s stupidity: the last thing the Birlings have been is well-behaved [with Eva Smith]! Although Gerald may not necessarily know about the Birlings’ involvement with the girl, the audience also begins to speculate if he, like Mr. Birling, is arrogant and not as thoughtful as his wealthy lifestyle may suggest. This, again, is an example of Priestley’s use of dramatic irony from the beginning of the play - highlighting the complacency of the upper classes, and to mock their inherent

Although her contribution to the play, overall, is limited, her presence in this passage, and in the home, is a constant reminder of the more unfortunate, lower classes of the British society in 1912, which will always exist in the nation if the more conservative, individualistic people – such as the Birlings – are kept in power in Britain. Symbolically, she is the one to open the door to the inspector (i.e. the poorer people are the only ones who welcome the arrival of socialism in the country), despite the ignorance of Mr. Birling towards his [the inspector’s] presence (i.e. the richer, individualistic people in 1912 are reluctant to allow socialism to gain power/enter the politics of Britain – at the cost of their own wealth and prosperity). Edna is also evidence of the richer society’s ignorance and rudeness towards the lower classes and, in a sense, is seen as Priestley’s physical embodiment within the