An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley

An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley

How does Priestley make a drama out of the theme of social

responsibility?

J. B. Priestley wrote the play “An Inspector Calls”, in 1945. The play

was set in Brumley, a fictitious town in the midlands. “An Inspector

Calls” is about how a ‘nouveou riche’ family is responsible for the

suicide death of a young woman named Eva Smith. This play by J. B.

Priestley was written to say to everyone that we all have social

responsibility, we all are responsible for one another, and that we

are all “intertwined” with everyone else’s life. That’s the message

this play is trying to convey.

The play was set in 1910-1912; this was the period when life was

segregated into classes. It was set in the Edwardian era, where women

had no rights, and were not allowed to vote. It was extremely

difficult for women to acquire jobs, mostly because men had first

priority. Eva Smith was lucky to receive a job at “Milwards”, but most

women worked in factories for little pay. There was a gap between the

upper class and the lower class. The middle class was not much

different to the upper class.

In 1945 Labour came to power. They introduced the NHS, which would

provide free health treatment for everyone. The Welfare State was also

brought about thanks to the first Labour party; this would provide a

net to catch people like Eva Smith, to help them get back up. Cases

like Eva should not happen today thanks to benefits. The Welfare State

is like friendly fishermen. They would catch the fish that need help,

help them and lead them back into the river, so they can swim to the

sea.

The play consists of all classes. G...

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...This repeated cycle of the Inspector coming at the end

also adds to the cliffhanger effect. Overall it was a risky technique,

but worked well to improve the tension.

The play is like a murder mystery, because of the Inspector being

present. In this case, it is not a murder, but a suicide.

Consequently, it is the inspection of their actions to drive Eva to

her death, rather than them actually killing her.

J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls” is a successful play, teaching

people about social responsibility and how you can’t get away from it.

J. B. Priestley tried to make the play’s theme of social

responsibility and did exceedingly well. However, only the majority of

the people learn that lesson. Some people even in today’s world still

haven’t learnt that lesson. Hopefully, another play will help to teach

them.