The Inspector's Role As A Dramatic Device in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley 'An Inspector Calls' begins with the Birlings and Gerald Croft celebrating when they are interrupted by a call from an Inspector. The Inspector tells them about a girl who has committed suicide earlier on that evening. In turn, he questions the Birlings and Gerald for playing a part in her death. After the Inspector leaves the Birlings find out he was not a real Inspector and receive a phone call about a young girl who has just died. The Inspector's identity is never found out in the play. I think Priestly has left his identity open because it is not his identity that matter but his views, which is what Priestly was …show more content…
Not knowing the Inspector's identity also creates mystery. The Inspector also uses suspense to create tension. For example, at the end of Act 1 he ends with the word 'Well' and at the beginning of Act 2, he is said to 'remain at the door for a few seconds looking at Sheila and Gerald'. This creates suspense within the audience and keeps them guessing about what will happen next. The Inspector also presents Priestley's central views. Priestley was a socialist, other wise know as a 'cranks' which is what Mr Birling saw the Inspector as. Priestley believed in equal rights and unity between people. Because the rich people were the ones making the Laws, Priestley believed that the rich would stay rich and the poor would stay poor because they had no one representing them. He wrote this play to get across his views through the Inspector to the rich people of that time as it would be them who could afford to see the play. The Inspector also shows Priestley's views in the speech he makes before he leaves the Birling household. The Inspector says 'We are all responsible for one another' (unity between people). The Inspector moves the story forward through his questioning. He does this through changing the mood, telling Eva Smith's story, involving time passing, changes in scenery and showing different events.
J.B. Priestley's Use of Dramatic Devices to Convey His Concerns and Ideas in An Inspector Calls
command at the end of Act I and the start of Act 2, and the end of Act
Throughout the study of JB Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’, it is easy to identify that there are many points in which this text both conforms and subverts to the conventions of the mystery genre. The author explores the archetypal mystery genre through firstly, the dead body and murder of Eva Smith, as well as the clues and motives that are revealed throughout the investigation. This is further followed by the series of intertwining characters, and the inquiry of their involvement in the death. However, this typical mystery text can be contradicted by the fact that this death was not a murder, but a suicide case, changing the expectations to instead of who killed her, but what were the lead up in events to result in Eva killing herself.
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?
Birling strongly believes that “a man has to make his own way – has to
This is more of a genuine remark of liking to Gerald than it is a
the play is that it is a typical detective story. This is due to the
the end of the Second World War. The play is set in 1912, just before
There was one scene in particular that appeared to be very well directed. Act two takes place in the common room of the Proctor’s house about a week after the initial scene in the Reverend’s home. This scene was especially well directed because of its length and the number of French scenes within it.
has now been removed. To him, now that she is no longer a threat to
Drama at the End of Act Two in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley What do you think is particularly dramatic about the section at the end of Act Two when Mrs Birling is questioned? In directing the drama how would you bring out the drama?
J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls I think that an "Inspector Calls" is about the discriminations between different classes and sexes, it conveys a lot of messages about these topics and uses An Inspector - a mysterious, curt individual who makes an unexpected call on an upper middle class, very opinionated family named the Birlings. The inspector seems to invade their own little world - upsetting a celebration of theirs, forcing them to realise the truth - they all contributed to the death of a young, working class girl with what should have been years ahead of her, instead these were snatched away by a greedy, insensitive and selfish chain of events, all down to the Birlings. The girls name was
“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.
The play An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley tells the story of a wealthy family in 1912 who are holding a celebration when the harsh figure of a police inspector arrives to investigate the suicide of a young woman who used to work at Mr Birling’s factory. In the first fifteen pages of the play, Priestley is able to make the Birling family appear extremely confident, whilst also creating subtle tensions, of which the significance later becomes clear.
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.