An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley
How and how effectively does JB Priestly try to convince us that we
should agree with the Inspector's view that "we don't live alone... We
are responsible for each other", rather than Mr Birling's view that "a
man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his
own..."?
The play "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestly is the story of the
visit by a police inspector to an apparently normal and well respected
family. It is set wholly in the dining room of the Birling's house in
Brumley, an industrial city in the North Midlands. It is a spring
evening in 1912.
The Birlings are celebrating Sheila Birling's engagement to Gerald
Croft who is also present, when the inspector arrives telling them of
a young girl's suicide - Eva Smith.
At first they deny any knowledge of the girl, but the Inspector
questions the family, and it begins to emerge that they were all
(including Gerald Croft) involved with her in one way or another.
Mr Birling is from a working class family. He has worked his way up
the social ladder and is now a prosperous factory owner. He's "a self
made man", "I'm talking as a hard headed practical man of business".
He is in his middle fifties with "fairly easy manner and a rather
provincial style of speech". He's quite self centred and self
satisfied. He talks a lot and likes the sound of his own voice. He's a
capitalist and only looks out for himself and his family. The audience
would see him as uncaring and selfish - as he doesn't consider anyone
else. He would appear rather "pompous" and the impact made on the
audience would probably make them dislike him, and his...
... middle of paper ...
...der to live in a peaceful world man must consider
his responsibility to his fellow man. He does this by showing us two
contrasting characters - Birling and the Inspector.
Birling he depicts as pompous, selfish, uncaring of others and only
looking out for himself. For example even his daughter's wedding will
be beneficial to him with increased social standing and better
business connections. Birling represents everything that is wrong with
society.
In the Inspector's character Priestly shows us a man who is caring,
thoughtful and respectable. He is the moral conscience, a warning of
what could happen if people don't change. If we don't consider and
care for others in this world. He convinces the audience that "we
don't live alone" we must try and prevent wars, bring about peace and
become responsible for others.
There would be more of an effect on the audience at the time, as it
Criticism in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley "An Inspector Calls" has been called a play of social criticism. What is being criticised. Explain some of the dramatic techniques which Priestley uses to achieve the play's effects. "An Inspector Calls" has been called a play of social criticism as Priestley condemned the many different injustices that existed in the society between the first and second world wars.
good impression, and I would say that I was satisfied. I think the most important thing
and say and do. We don't live alone. We are members of a body. We are
for each other. And I tell you that a time will soon come when if men
him from other people are he funny guy and fun and nice to be around. Another amazing thing he
I replied by saying, “Why thou eyes fill with tears, hopefully of happiness, since our kid will be perfect.”
...tive outlook on things, he shows his emotional strength to handle things in an adult manner.
the end of the Second World War. The play is set in 1912, just before
especially for a woman. Even if a woman did get a job they would get
in jeopardy than how he may have driven a young girl down a spiral to
He is very excited and the music starts up again.
Birlings, as they find out that they have all played a part in a young
the suicide of Eva Smiths death. The aim of the story is to, try to
happy with the good things that he has in his life? He tries to live a life