An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley The play An Inspector Calls was written in 1945 around the time of World War Two ending, but is set before World War One. J B Priestley wrote this play because he thought that the world was not social enough and he used this play to show how we should all care about each other. The time span between the dates used (1945-1912) is to make us aware of what has happened and learn from mistakes made. The play is set in the in 1912. It centres on the wealthy Birling family. They are enjoying a family celebration of Sheila Birling's engagement to her fiancé Gerald Croft when they are interrupted by a visit from the mysterious Inspector Goole. This proves to be a horrifying experience for the Birling's as they learn that they have all played a part in the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith. In this essay I will be focusing on the different roles the inspector plays by his dramatic structure of moving the story forward and the moments on intensity and tension he creates on stage. I will be commenting on how Priestley uses the inspector to present his central themes and how he engages the audience. J B Priestley took full advantage of writing in hindsight and makes sure that it will make the audience realise how wrong they may have been assuming future events. The stage directions the immenseness of the Inspector is aroused in the audience's mind. "Pink until the inspector arrives ...brighter and harder" The pink atmosphere also helps to highlight the happiness and optimism of the Birling Family at the start of the play. The white atmosphere will help to show the harsh treatment that the inspector will provide during the play. Whiteness is also an emphasis of truth and honesty. "The light hits all corners of the room" The inspector's solidity is continuously present. "(Dryly) I don't play golf" and "Stop!" The Inspector has harsh way of controlling the conversation throughout
There would be more of an effect on the audience at the time, as it
This fall, two seniors at Acton Boxborough committed suicide, and they affected me greatly. Not only do I consider myself empathetic but I knew both of the boys. The first, Matt, was a friend of mine. We met in fifth grade when we were put on the same recreational basketball team and continued our friendship into high school. He was in my English class and I remember Wednesday was the day after he killed himself and rumors began to spread. Even once I got into my English class and he was not there I assumed he was out and it was a dumb rumor. My day continued but in one of my electives his girlfriend asked if she could talk to me and that is when I got the news. Immediately I was in disbelief and thought he was stronger than that he would have stayed to
Criticism in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley "An Inspector Calls" has been called a play of social criticism. What is being criticised. Explain some of the dramatic techniques which Priestley uses to achieve the play's effects. "An Inspector Calls" has been called a play of social criticism as Priestley condemned the many different injustices that existed in the society between the first and second world wars.
and say and do. We don't live alone. We are members of a body. We are
for each other. And I tell you that a time will soon come when if men
This coursework focuses on how each character contributes to the suicide of a poor girl Eva Smith/Daisy Renton.
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley In the introduction of Act One, we are given a few brief details about
worked for him and asked for a pay rise and was fired from her job by
they learn that they have all played a part in the suicide of a young
death decisions, without any clear right answers. A group of seven teenagers returns from a
especially for a woman. Even if a woman did get a job they would get
in jeopardy than how he may have driven a young girl down a spiral to
Birlings, as they find out that they have all played a part in a young
The story of Eva Smith is a dramatic one. JB Priestley is full of good
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, and the sixth leading cause for 5 to 14 year olds. Suicide accounts for twelve percent of the mortality in the adolescent and young adult group. Young males are more common than young woman suicides. These are only children who followed through with the suicide. For every successful suicide there are fifty to one hundred adolescent suicide attempts. In other words, more than five percent of all teenagers tried to commit suicide, and the number is still rising. It is scary to think that four percent of high school students have made a suicide attempt within the previous twelve months. In a small safe town like Avon, in the Avon High School where you and I practically live, you can see the faces of 22 students that have tried to commit suicide. That is enough to fill a classroom.