Responsibility in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

Responsibility in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

The Author (priestley) wanted to ensure life after the war was better

than before and he hoped that through his writing he could influence

people's ideas and change society. Although he wrote an Inspector

Calls in 1945, (a week after the war ended) he deliberately set it in

1912 because that time represented the sort of society everybody

wanted to leave behind. The message of the play was particularly

effective to the audiences of 1946. Priestley knew that the message of

his play would reach the war-weary audiences of the era more

effectively than it would reach the audiences of a different time. The

"fire and blood and anguish" reference to the First and Second World

Wars would be very influential to the audience. The audiences had

experienced the horrors of war and were not eager to experience them

again, so they may think that if they followed JB Priestley's message,

they would prevent yet another world war. ad;

Priestley wrote this play intentionally as he saw an urgent need for

social change and used the play to express his desire for social

equality. The time span between the dates used (1945-1912) is to make

us aware of what has happened and learn from mistakes made. Priestley

hoped his play would give society the chance with hindsight to look

back on the past and not just carry on life in the same way as before.

He was particularly concerned about the living conditions of the lower

classes, represented by Eva Smith (the name "Smith" being cleverly

used: a common name being used to represent all other people), and the

way the upper classes behaved, represented by the Birl...

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...ts, she also appears keen and anxious to change her behaviour

in the future, "I will never, never do it again". (PG) She is aware of

the mystery surrounding the Inspector, yet realises that there is no

point in trying to hide the facts from him. She is mature about the

breaking up of her engagement and remains calm. She will not be rushed

into accepting the ring back once the Inspector has left. She is

unable to accept her parents' attitude and is both amazed and

concerned that they have not learned anything from the episode.

Although the Inspector might be a hoax, the family have still behaved

in an entirely unsuitable manner. She learns of her responsibilities

to others less fortunate than herself (the idea of the community) and

is sensitive. Her readiness to learn from experience is in great

contrast to her parents.