Coursework How does J.B Priestley use dramatic devices in An Inspector
Calls to convey his concerns and ideas to the members of the audience
as well as interest and involve them in his play? 23rd, February 2005
The main theme of “An Inspector Calls” is responsibility. J.B
Priestley wants to show the Birlings’ and the audience that we all
share responsibility for other people’s welfare, and that wealthy
people have obligations to look after those less fortunate than
themselves. Priestley uses Inspector Goole to put across his views on
society by portraying himself as a character. Through Inspector Goole
Priestley is able to emphasize that with privileges come
responsibilities to help others.
In the 1930’s Priestley’s main concern was the social inequality in
Britain. Priestly set up The Commonwealth Party in 1942. Their main
arguments were public land ownership, greater democracy, and a new
"morality" in politics. In 1945 Priestley’s party joined the labour
party. Priestley was particularly influential in developing the idea
of the Welfare State, this finally took place at the end of World War
Two.
The play is set in 1912 but was written and performed in 1945. This is
significant as it allows J.B Priestley to make Mr. Birling seem even
more ridiculous and naïve. For example, he mentions how there is not
going to be a war, however by 1945 when the play was first performed
the audience know that there were two wars between 1914 and 1945,
World War One and World War Two, which began in 1939. Mr. Birling also
mentions how the ship Titanic will not sink, ‘unsinkable, absolutely
unsinkable’. Again in 1945 the audience know that Titanic did sink,
consequently the things that Mr. Birling says, the audienc...
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...stley is also
conveying his ideas here. The audience would realise that everyone is
responsible for each other. Priestley interests and involves the
audience by having a lot of tension in the play “An Inspector Calls”.
Priestley also interests them by having an exciting plot and a wide
range of characters. He involves the audience by using dramatic irony
very early on in the play and using characters to put across his
concerns, such as the inspector in his speech tells the Birling’s
"each of you helped to kill her." This is not only aimed at the
characters on stage but at the audience too.
Priestley’s message in “An Inspector Calls” is responsibility and how
everyone is responsible for other people, we are all linked in
society. This message is still relevant today because we still have
responsibilities for other people and our actions do affect others.
she needed more money. So she said to him give me 25/6 because of that
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
they are given a second chance at the end of the play - that their
him.' Birling here is trying to show off and also trying to be in the
Examine Priestley's use of dramatic techniques to create tension in the play. Priestly was a socialist writer, and 'An Inspector Calls' is one of the plays in which he tried to display his socialist ideals in. The play was written in the 1940's, a little after the end of the Second World War, and it was first performed in 1946, in Russia, then later in England. Priestly had served in World War 1, and the terrible scenes he saw lead to him having socialist views. He was inspired by other writers whose views he shared, especially George Orwell and H.G.
The Ending of J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls 'An Inspector calls' is a 19th century play written by J.B Preistly. It is set in the early 1900s and focuses around a well-off family. They are celebrating the engagement of Mr. Birling's daughter, Sheila, to Gerald her fiancé, when they are interrupted by an Inspector Goole, who claims to be investigating the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith.
coming to an end in 1945. The play was based in the time just before
be. The rich stay rich, the poor stay poor and there is a large gap
Analyse the play 'An Inspector Calls' by commenting specifically on the playwright's characterization and staging. Analyse the play 'An Inspector Calls' by commenting specifically on the playwright's characterization and staging. Consider any techniques employed, such as dramatic device and/or symbolism and conclude how successful they are in reflecting the issues raised in the play. J. B. Priestly employs many techniques to convey his moral and social beliefs. I will explore how Priestly uses characterization and staging as well as other dramatic devices to raise issues in the play and examine them further, discussing how they are put across to the audience.
Priestley's Genre in An Inspector Calls 'An Inspector Calls' is a "Whodunit" written by J.D. Priestley in 1945 and was first shown in Britain at the new Theatre on the 1st October 1946.Priestley was a socialist and in 'An Inspector Calls', the main theme explores capitalism versus socialism. This play is a morality play. Priestley communicates his message to the audience by representing capitalism by the upper class and the Birling family and socialism by the lower class and the Inspector and Eva Smith/Daisy Renton as this related to real life during this time. Priestley presents his arguments clearly through interesting characters, with very different views and a powerful story line with major consequences to individual actions. He presents this morality play within the "whodunit genre".
Dramatic Tension in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley The play, An Inspector Calls, by J.B Priestley is full of dramatic tension that changes throughout the play depending on the characters involved. This tension that has been created by the arrival of the Inspector has affected the relationships within the family and Gerald Croft, a person soon to be married to Sheila Birling. Not only have the relationships changed but the attitudes of certain characters have also altered, almost completely, as their perspectives of the society and position seems to matter no more. This is in relevance to Sheila and Eric Birling especially. The tension mounts as each revelation is revealed through the intense questioning by the Inspector that brings about attitude changes within the members of the family, nervousness, and anxiety to what happens next that leads to Eva Smith's devastating consequences.
the play may be pass to modern society, that one may not learn, or even
"A View From A Bridge" is a play by Arthur Miller. It is set in 1950s
The Character that Changes Most in Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley During the play, the inspector prys into the personalities of the main characters, Gerald Croft, Eric Birling, Sheila Birling, Mrs. Sybil Birling and Mr. Arthur Birling. The two characters that change the most during the play are Sheila and Eric, the two younger members of the Birling family. They change as a result of the inspector linking them and their thoughts, actions and ultimately way of life to the apparent suicide of a local woman, "Eva Smith", who it appears, had links with all of the main characters in the play. Mr and Mrs. Birling do not appear to change in their personality or behaviour, although the inspector tries to open their minds to living without prejudices, but they cannot change.
went on strike for more pay and Eva Smith was one of the ring leaders,