Analyse the character of the Inspector in 'An Inspector Calls' by J.B.Priestley Discuss his - · Role in the play · Effects on the other characters · Stage Presence This play was written in 1945, though set in a pre-war 1912. This was primarily because of Priestley's interest in the passing of time. To show the distinction between the rich upper classes and the poor working classes. At the time of the play the country was divided and ruled by this Dickension class system. Woman were second class citizens and they did not even have the right to vote this did not arrive until later a year later when Emily Pankhurst set up the suffragette movement fighting for equal rights for woman. At the time Priestley was considered experimental by his fellow authors because he wrote about things others hadn't even considered. This is probably the play Priestley will be most remembered for. The play is so diverse it educates the audience and introduces moral lessons in the comfortable environment of the theatre. As the curtain opens Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer is holding a family dinner to celebrate his daughters Shelia's engagement to rival businessman Gerald Croft. Then a visitor disturbs this cosy middleclass scene and brings it down to earth level. This visitor is newly arrived to the area Inspector Goole, he immediately introduces an at first underlying scene of unease. He is described as creating 'an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. ' He speaks carefully and weightily and almost sardonically at times but the fact that he never raises his voice and allows his temper to take control means he sustains his presence throughout the play, he has ' massively taken charge' by the form in which his investigation has taken. Firstly he begins with Arthur Birling the head of the family. He asks the questions he has to although Birling does actually know who he is talking about this apparently face less girl that committed suicide in such a dreadful way earlier that day. Eva Smith. He remains very vague about this until he finally does admit to employing this girl and to dismissing her for being the 'ring leader' of a group that went out to strike because they wished for a pay rise. Birling however tries to justify his actions by explaining it was to was to keep labour costs down therefore pushing prices up so to Birling Eva Smith was nothing more than 'cheap labour.' He then goes onto say how he "can't accept any responsibility.' then he explains that if ' we were all responsible for everything that happened to everyone then it would be very awkward.
There would be more of an effect on the audience at the time, as it
This is particularly relevant as after the war the country was plunged into rationing and only the wealthy could afford to buy enough food. It was a time in history when some people like Mr Birling were worrying about higher profits "lower costs and higher prices" and others like Eva Smith who were desperately trying to make ends meet.
she needed more money. So she said to him give me 25/6 because of that
The war was said to bring fire blood & anguish in to our lives. WW1 -
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
As the play was meant to be produced on stage, rather than to be written as a book format, 'An Inspector Calls' is very dramatic; to capture the audiences' attention, and to keep them thinking as the play develops. Each of the three acts are very dramatic, but I am choosing to analyse the first half of Act One of 'An Inspector Calls', because in my opinion, this is where J.B. Priestley's use of dramatic devices is most evident. This part of the play is very important, because it is the opening scene. Not only must the opening scene of the play grab the audiences' attention, it must also give impressions and introductions to the main characters. J.B. Priestley has used the scene to capture the audiences' attention and imagination, and gives a good introduction to the characters and their personality.
· The social class system at the time when the play is set, (rich and
The Reflection of J. B. Priestley's Political and Philosophical Beliefs in An Inspector Calls In 1945 J. B. Priestley wrote the play "An Inspector Calls". It is a very tense play; the audience are always on the edge of their seats. It is didactic as it conveys a social and moral meaning to the play.
Go on the streets?" Mr Birling assumes that working class woman, like Eva Smith, get into trouble regularly, and if they are fired, they turn to prostitution quickly. This shows that the attitudes are totally different between upper class and working class women. Working class women are seen as easy virtue, and whores, whilst the upper class 'virgin maidens' are almost untouchable in their purity.
"And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I don't need to know any
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.
Priestley's Social Message in An Inspector Calls The play an Inspector Call’s was written at the time of 1945 but is set in 1912. Priestley conveys a lot of social and important messages in this play. He conveys the messages through the character of Inspector Goole. One most important message that Priestley conveys is about Socialism.
Priestley’s Main Aim in An Inspector Calls JB Priestly wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ to enhance the message that ‘we don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’. This is something Priestly felt strongly about and he succeeded in representing his views through the character of the Inspector in the play itself. He wanted to communicate the message that our actions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, always affect others.
An Inspector Calls is a play with lots of political messages as well as social messages. J. B. Priestley believed in socialism and he used large amounts of his plays to try and convince people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when Britain was ruled by a Labour government and socialist policies were seen to be a good way to go. It was a common way of thinking at that time so Priestley's aim for the play was to influence the unconvinced in society.
was genuine and this allows the audience to almost predict their own ending; how will the family react to the arrival of the real Inspector? Will they acknowledge this as a chance to admit to their mistakes or will they try and conceal their guilt? I thoroughly enjoyed studying An Inspector Calls and have learned a great deal about how society has changed and how moral ideals have evolved over time. I found the play effective although because of the way in which society has developed Priestley's morals may not be applicable to life today. As wealth and power have become increasingly more important socialist feelings of responsibility for one another have been progressively weakened.