An Inspector Calls Essay

“An Inspector Calls” is a morality play by the socialist playwright J. B. Priestley written in 1945 but set in 1912. The play is based on the wealthy Birling family, who is questioned by a police inspector regarding a young woman’s death. Using characters of different ages to represent the contrast of political stances and attitudes, Priestley attempts to educate the audience. He believed that Capitalism was the sole reason for the start of world war one and therefor also the cause of the great economic

“An Inspector calls” is a renowned play constructed by J.B Priestley to enlighten us on responsibility. The controversy of this topic has been of debate for decades and arises as one of the most prominent conscience provoking plays of all time. It teaches us the values to be human, our duties and above all questions who we truly are in terms of societal standards. The tragic demise of Eva smith shows how easily responsibility can be diminished whether it is by the arousing factors of twisted love

play, An Inspector Calls, JB Priestley explores numerous ideas of responsibility. Priestley utilizes the setting of the play (1912) when socio-economic disparity between the upper and working class was high, and juxtaposes it with the social context of when the play was performed (1945), when aspects of socialism were growing rapidly in Britain. This creates dramatic irony and reflects the view of audiences first attending the play. He achieves this by using the mysterious nature of Inspector Goole

At the start of the play in an inspector calls by Priestly the Birling family is celebrating happily Sheila’s engagement to Gerald Croft. However the mood changes when Inspector Goole arrives and informs them about the suicide of a young women named Eva smith. Eventually all the characters discover how they all played a part in the death of Eva smith. At the start of the play in an inspector calls by Priestley Sheila is presented as a “pretty girl in her early twenties”, very pleased with

In An Inspector Calls the theme of gender inequality is explored comprehensively. In the play, most of the women are portrayed as feeble characters, unable to make decisions for themselves. Many people often think this of Sheila, who the men feel needs protecting from lots of things, like the information that a girl has committed suicide. The play was set in 1912 when the patriarchal society was the norm. So the women that were in the play would have been seen as possessions to their husband and

Yannick Hillier IGCSE Literature Question Drama question ‘We do not live alone. We are members of one body.’ How does this play highlight the theme of responsibility? In ‘An Inspector Calls’ written just after WW2, J.B. Priestley seems to be asking the question, “Just what kind of society are we fighting to save?” Priestley set the play in 1912; this enabled him to comment on people’s attitudes and ideas before WW1. The social issues that were so prevalent in the labour strikes of 1912 were still

The Role of Inspector Goole in An Inspector Calls Examine the role of Inspector Goole in An Inspector Calls & study the impact his role has on the rest of the characters in the play. Inspector Goole is the most important character in the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ because he is the catalyst for the events that take place in the play. Priestley’s intensions were to reveal to his audience the social state of England in 1945. He felt that little had changed since the turn of the century. Preistley

In the play An Inspector Calls, J.B. Priestley introduces Sheila as “a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.” The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Birling, this seemingly naÏve young woman quickly develops to take a whole new political stance to her family’s conservatism. Her contributions to conversations were minimal at the start of the play, and her behaviour came across as juvenile instantly. We see her attitude change throughout the play though, as when faced

The Dramatic Importance of the Inspector in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls In this play, Inspector Calls J.B. Priestley expresses his personal viewpoint on society in general throughout the play by using the character Inspector Goole. His viewpoint is evident in the main themes through out the play which are social responsibility, power and lies. These themes help to articulate his belief that all people share a common humanity and so all are part of a community whereby

JB Priestly (1894-1984) wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ after the First World War (it was first performed in 1945); like much of his work, the play contains controversial, politically charged messages. Priestly was a resolute socialist and had very socialist views. This essay will explore some of the techniques Priestly uses to present the Inspector. The Inspector as soon as he is introduced has authority and is commanding of the situation. You can see this from the following quote, “at once an impression