The Character that Changes the Most in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

The Character that Changes the Most in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

In the essay I will try to answer the question of, ‘Which character

changes the most in An Inspector Calls?’ I will do this by; explaining

the role played by the character in the play; showing how and why I

think they change; focusing on the effect on the audience by the stage

directions and settings; showing what messages Priestly manages to get

across to the audience in 1946 through his play. To do that I will

comment on:

· The importance of social responsibility – especially of those in

superior social position.

· The effects of the characters actions over time.

· The conditions of the workers and the unemployed

· The social class system at the time when the play is set, (rich and

poor). And also the men and women’s roles in life, the importance of

equality and socialism.

I think that Sheila is the one that changes the most in the course of

the play. I think this because she turns from being the stereotypical

early 19th century child who abides by her parents rules and does as

her parents say, to become more independent. The show her newfound

independence, she begins telling her parents what she thinks about

them and freely gives her opinions and feelings about the events in

the play.

The writer of the play Priestly comes from a working class family. He

was brought up in Bradford. During the first word war he joined the

‘Duke of Wellington’s regiment’ and served on the front line in

France. He got buried alive when a trench collapsed, and later was

gassed. He was then sent home invalided. He was given an

ex-serviceman’s grant and studied Modern History and Political

Science. Later on in his life he wrote articles to feature in ‘The

Times Literary Supplement’, which ultimately earned him a good

reputation. He began writing plays in the 30s and 40s. He wrote, or

co-wrote 40 different plays in total.