Review of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

Review of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley John Boynton Priestly was a socialist. He believed that whether we

acknowledged it or not, we are in a community and have a

responsibility to look after others. He wrote "An Inspector Calls" to

highlight these beliefs and share them. In writing this essay, I

intend to show why a play written in 1945 and set in 1912 still has

relevance for audiences in the 21st century.

The play An Inspector Calls was written in 1945 within a week of World

War Two ending but is set before World War One. J B Priestley wrote

this play intentionally as he saw an urgent need for social change and

used the play to express his desire for social equality. The time span

between the dates used (1945-1912) is to make us aware of what has

happened and learn from mistakes made. Priestley hoped his play would

give society the chance with hindsight to look back on the past and

not just carry on life in the same way as before. 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 play is set in an industrial city in the Midlands of 1912 and is

made up out of three main acts, in which the scenery, props and

general background are changed. During the play there are a number of

key scenes and speeches from all of the characters. At the start of

the play, all of the Birling family seemed as though they were really

friendly and got a...

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...play to emphasis this point,

and makes it more effective by placing it just as the characters are

beginning to relax. It serves to 'prick' the consciences of both the

characters and the audience.

Priestly wanted everyone to believe that they were all responsible for

each other and that everyone should have equal chances and equal

rights in their lives.

Overall, I would say that Priestly has achieved what he wanted to

achieve. I found the play quite entertaining and interesting to read.

It deals with a number of key issues compared to the time it was

written in, as well as gripping the reader as the story twists and

turns. Surprises are frequent and also well written. I was truly

stunned by the turn the play takes in the end.

By reading the play I can now understand how a perfect world can soon

be broken down.