The Thriller Like Suspense in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

Birlings' house. He is said to "need not be a big man but he creates

he a question he will now answer it, he will just ask a question back.

13.How does this play , produced in 1916 show its age ? in what ways does this play seem remarkably new

knows it as one of the characters is soon to depart out of the play,

When the play was written and set (these may be different!) and a description of the cultural/social/political climate of these times and how is it reflected in your play

An Inspector Calls is set in 1912 before World War One. The play is centred around, a wealthy family called the Birlings. The visit from the Inspector reveals that all the characters had played a part in the suicide of a girl called Eva Smith. In some ways, all the characters are responsible for the death of Eva Smith, each one of them did something that affected her in some way or another. Overall I feel that some characters were more responsible than others for many different reasons. In the book we see several different reactions from the characters when they find out that they are caught up in the suicide, some were upset and distressed and others just tried to pass the blame to others and tried to excuse what they had done. The characters selfishness was a huge contributions to Eva Smiths suicide.

characters in the play, he is trying to use her as a way of making

The inspector right from the moment he is introduced is commanding of the situation and already has that authority he displays later on in the play. “at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness”. As the play progresses the inspector continues to make this impression on the family by his interrogations and speeches. The inspector does this by keeping composed

“An Inspector Calls” written by J.B Priestley is about the unexpected suicide of a lower class working girl called Eva Smith. Every character in the play played a big part in her demise. Mr Birling fired her from his own business, Sheila got her fired from Milwards, Gerald had an affair with her, Eric raped her making her pregnant and Mrs Birling rejected her from her charity when she was desperate. At the end of the play Eva is shown to be desperate because she is in the Palace Bar, J.B Priestley reflects society in each and every character. In this play its shown that the lower class have to obey and be in awe of the upper class.

As we know, the pretext of the play is the aftermath of a war, so I

For instance, it is as if he is waiting for everyone to confess to his

important to note as the play was set at a time of monarchical struggle and the

shall firstly do a summery of the play and give a basic image of what

this is his role in the events of the play. This, and the fact that

Write a paper that explains how history is portrayed in a particular play emphasizing what a certain historical event, personage, or situation enables the playwright to communicate. Discuss what effect the playwright's transformation of historical reality has on an audience.