An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley
The play "An Inspector calls" was written by J.B. Priestly in 1945. It
was set in a Midland Industrial town in 1912. The plot of this
dramatic play is based around a visit by an inspector to an apparently
normal and well-respected family. All the characters are affected by
the death of Eva Smith, but Sheila Birling shows the greatest remorse
and changes the most. In this essay, I will discuss how Sheila changes
during the play and her role in the death of Eva Smith. I am also
going to briefly discuss about the other characters.
In the play "An Inspector calls", each character reacts differently.
Mr Birling, Sheila's father is arrogant and outspoken about his
self-centred beliefs of the world "a man has to mind his own business
and look after his own." He is less vocal as the inspector starts
questioning them and appears somehow ashamed as the story develops.
His involvement
In Eva Smiths' case is that he sacked her from a job she needed
dearly. The inspector mentions that this plays a part in her suicide.
However at the end, when the inspector departs he returns to his old
self, choosing to ignore the inspector's lesson. He puts it aside
stating the fact that Goole was a "hoax". He is only concerned on how
it might have
Affected his knighthood.
Lady Birling, is the most reluctant to admit her guilt in the girl's
Death. She is portrayed as determined but narrow minded, out of touch
with what really happens. Her involvement in the case was that she
rejected Eva at a time of need. This was the final straw before her
suicide. The most Mrs Birling bends towards sympathy is to say: " I'...
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... questions the values and attitudes of her parents, reflect the
changing attitudes of the younger generation and increase in women's
independence. The only other person that shares her attitude is Eric.
This shows that the younger generations are more open-minded and are
able to learn from their mistakes and change. The older generation is
being forced to learn appropriate values of life by the younger
generation. Priestly uses Sheila and Eric to represent socialists who
can bring hope to the future.
To sum it all up, Sheila changes the most in "An Inspector Calls". She
helps the inspector in bringing out and questioning different people's
views of life. Priestly uses Sheila to express his views about
capitalism. He uses Sheila to show the audience that there is room for
change to bring about a better future for all.
There would be more of an effect on the audience at the time, as it
in the revolution. She is very rebellious, she makes friends with people of the underground, and she
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
but she was also very keen to play Mrs. Lyons as she had never played
...he library. I think she did a fantastic job of depicting the character's thoughts and emotions throughout the Holocaust just as a Jewish person at that same time period would feel.
talks with. He is a man who has come to the Birling's house to do his
Shakespeare specifically leaves out key details on her character. Was she in an affair with Claudius before the murder? Does she know Claudius was the one to kill King Hamlet? Did she plot with him?
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
...portant than anything and she did not let anyone or anything stop her from her main goal. This plays themes were based on love, passion, rage and vengeance.
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
...eneration from time to time; may be because of her impressive and short life story.