Characterization, Dramatic Devices and Themes Used in Priestley's An Inspector Calls

J.B. Priestley's Use of Dramatic Devices to Convey His Concerns and Ideas in An Inspector Calls

Priestley sets out a sequence of stage directions at the beginning of the play, he applies them successfully as a dramatic device. He uses the stage directions to show the audience that the Birling family are cold and distant, and how supposedly capitalism has affected their lives. Highlighting he gap between

Social responsibility is one of the main themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’ play. J.B. Priestly wrote the play in 1945, but set it in 1912, at the time when there was a strong class division within the society which affected attitudes towards social responsibility. Priestly portrayed this in his play through different characters and differences between lower and upper classes as well as the younger and the older generation in the play. Priestley and the character from the play, Inspector, were in favour of socialism while in contrast, Mr Birling represents capitalism which affects his sense of responsibility.

How does JB Priestley present the older and younger generations differently throughout the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ (45 mins)

John Boynton Priestley was born in Bradford, Yorkshire on September 13th 1984. The play “An Inspector Calls” was written by him in 1945, and came onstage in 1914. An Inspector calls, is a play that revolves around the apparent suicide of a young woman called Eva Smith. In the play, the unsuspecting Birling family are visited by the mysterious Inspector Goole. Priestley uses a variety of different techniques, especially language and quotations, to contrast and elicit differing responses to Mr Birling and Inspector Goole.

In the play 'An Inspector Calls', many contrasts and paradox's are present and at the centre of them all is the character known as Inspector Goole. However, the inspector is not any ordinary inspector. I believe that the inspector is used as a device by Priestley to explore the wider themes of the play and to depict other characters true personalities. This essay will explore some of the techniques Priestley presents the inspector in An Inspector Calls.

As soon as he enters in Act One, the lighting changes from “pink and intimate” into “brighter and harder”, foreshadowing the interrogation that will be taken place, and at the same time signifying his existence on the stage. the Inspector is described as a man who “gives an impression of massiveness, solidity, and purposefulness”, visual imageries that tone down the light, joyful and celebratory mood of the dining scene at the beginning into more serious one, as a cue sign for the actual play to start. His name ‘Goole’ sounds similar to a ‘ghoul’ -‘an evil spirit that feeds on dead bodies’ or ‘a person morbidly interested in death’(Google). The second definition would be more relatable to the play as the plot is encircled around the death of Eva Smith. It’s highly doubtful that the Inspector Goole has reached to the point where he is highly obsessed with the family disaster, however, he does approach the affair with a great tenacity. Mr Birling mentions the Chief Constable being “an old friend” of his, to show that he has a close connection with the person the Inspector Goole -presumably- worked for, and establishes himself in a higher position than the Inspector. However, the Inspector keeps his “rude - and assertive manner” as Mrs Birling describes him later in Act Three. The Inspector’s unprejudiced and unbiased actions reflect his main role of reminding others of their social responsibility. It also stirs a sense of suspicion through the audience, as they would wonder why he is so careless about his own job. Overall, Priestley presents the mysterious aspect of the Inspector Goole to create a bigger impact on his message through the play.

Eric appears to be shocked and surprised with the news, and while although Mr Birling says he is sorry to hear of this tragedy, the stage directions reveal he is rather impatient and is unsure as to why the inspector had gone to trouble to go to their residence. This is a clear representation of Mr Birling, as his arrogance and reputation are more dominant than his sympathy and compassion. However, the inspector seemed to be expecting this, as the stage directions once again reveal more than what is said, as he is believed to have cut in rather massively, not allowing Mr Birling to finish. This then leads onto the next point of how this conforms with the mystery genre, as this is where the audience begins to connect and understand the characters, as well as their involvement.

In Act One of 'An Inspector Calls' how does J.B. Priestley use dramatic devices to convey his concerns and ideas to the members of the audience, as well as interest and involve them in his play?

audience in his play. I will be analysing act one of the play to try

When Eric describes himself as being a bit squiffy, what he means to say is that he was drunk and had no control over his actions. In the situation, he had become infatuated by a girl from the working class; combine this with his immutable state of intoxication and he ultimately caused the death of Eva Smith. He did not merely “turn nasty” as put, but refuses to leave until his entry is granted.

“An Inspector Calls” is a play written by J.B. Priestly in 1945. The play, which is set in 1912, illustrates the vast status difference in society at the time. Priestly wanted to show to the audience a more dramatic look at the relationship between the wealthy and the poor.

Consider the ways in which Priestley's portrayal of Inspector Goole and the way in which he carries out his investigation of the Birling family and Gerald Croft create dramatic interest? ' An inspector calls' was written in 1945 by J.B Priestley. The play is set in 1912 and centres on Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer and his family, who are celebrating the engagement of their daughter, when they are suddenly and dramatically interrupted by the arrival of the police inspector. The inspector, investigating the suicide of a young working-class woman, uncovers each of the family's shameful secrets that link them with the young girl and her death.

Priestley presents Inspector Goole as an outsider, whose presence creates an air of uncertainty in the Birling household. This is evident in Sheila’s quote, “I have an idea – and I had it all along vaguely – that there was something curious about him.” Sheila becomes suspicious of the Inspector, since she feels that he appears to know an extraordinary amount of details about themselves and Eva Smith. Priestley designs the Inspector, as a supernatural being, sent to teach the Birling’s a lesson and to make them understand their individual actions all lead to Eva Smith’s death. Priestley uses a homophone for the Inspector’s name, to subliminally tell the audience that Inspector Goole is in fact a ghoul. It’s not until the end of the play when

An Inspector Calls is a play that includes a vast amount of political and social messages. Priestley believed in socialism and he used the Inspector as an embodiment of his opinions to try and convince people to agree with his way of thinking. At the time it was written Britain was ruled by a Labour government and socialist policies were seen to be a good way to go. As soon as the Inspector is introduced he is portrayed as commanding and authoritative.