Analysis of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley ‘An Inspector Calls’ fits in to the bracket of a mystery/morality play with hidden depths. Priestley is trying to convey his own feelings as a socialist about class and social status. He uses the inspector to express his views and attacks the Birlings who represent he upper class. He portrays them to be pompous and self-indulgent. The inspector wants to show the Birlings that they are not always right and that sometimes there is no difference between the upper class and a criminal. The play was written just after World War II had finished so the people were very angry and upset. Priestley manages to touch people’s feelings and anger them against the rich by making Mr Birling say ‘war is impossible’ and ‘there will be peace and prosperity everywhere’ which was plainly untrue. As the play was written in 1945 Priestly was able to take full advantage of popular opinion and dramatic irony. He exploits this when Mr Birling says that the Titanic was ‘unsinkable’ and that 1940 will be a year of ‘peace and prosperity’. He uses irony to help get the case over to the public because when you hear a fat aristocrat talking about something which he clearly knew nothing about, and the fact that both of the things he said c to pass you feel angry. Priestly knew this and wanted to tap into the emotions of people. Another example of dramatic irony is when Mr Birling says ‘except of course in Russia, which will always be behind’ as England had just fought a war with Russia as allies thus, they were seen favourably by people, but here was Mr Birling distancing himself from them. Lighting is used very effectively in the play particularly to exaggerate things. Outside is raining and when the inspector comes in he has to hang up his wet cloak, but inside is warm and cosy with a roaring fire. When the inspector enters he seems much taller than he really is because the lighting is positioned below him so it casts a
There would be more of an effect on the audience at the time, as it
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.
At the time the play was set there was no benefits system. So if you
The play is set in three scenes. The entire play is set in the dining
return: "I don't give a damn now. Do you think Eric has ever stood up
technology and how a man should live. He says 'A man has to make his
talks with. He is a man who has come to the Birling's house to do his
The play is the tale of a rich family, that are accosted by a man
satisfied. He talks a lot and likes the sound of his own voice. He's a
in jeopardy than how he may have driven a young girl down a spiral to
the perfect son in law. But in the process of doing this she puts hr
and with an old rag tied around his head. A man who had been soaked in
He wanted to give everyone a choice. Should we go back to the way it
In the play “An inspector calls” by J.B priestly, Mr Birling and Shelia Birling have contrasting attitudes to social issues. The author uses this to difference to highlight the diversity between generations and their reaction to situations faced. Arthur Birling is the father to Shelia Birling and is presented as the old fashion generation whereas Shelia is the young generation, who is more aware of the responsibility she has towards other people.The play begins with Mr birling and his family celebrating the engagement of Shelia and Gerald. The atmosphere is happy and light-hearted. Before the inspector arrives, Mr Birling is happy with life and himself “It’s one of the happiest nights of my life.” This shows that Mr Birling is quire selfish because he only thinks that it is one of the happiest nights of his life and not of Shelia and Gerald.
The criminal investigation process is able to achieve justice to a great to a great extent. They are effective in achieving justice, as they are able to balance the rights of the victim, offenders and society and also provide fair and just outcomes. For these reasons, the criminal investigation process is largely able to achieve justice.