Drama in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls

Drama in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls

J.B. Priestley is the author of 'An Inspector Calls', he wrote and

published the play in 1945. The play he created was set in an

industrial town called 'Brumley'. In 'An Inspector Calls' there are

six main characters, one being an inspector who goes by the name of

Goole. Inspector Goole questions the five other characters about a

young working-class woman's, named Eva, death. During questioning,

each of the Birling family, Sheila, Eric, Sybil and Arthur, all reveal

that they have a secret connection with Eva, along with Gerald Croft,

who is engaged to Sheila Birling.

As the play was meant to be produced on stage, rather than to be

written as a book format, 'An Inspector Calls' is very dramatic; to

capture the audiences' attention, and to keep them thinking as the

play develops.

Each of the three acts are very dramatic, but I am choosing to analyse

the first half of Act One of 'An Inspector Calls', because in my

opinion, this is where J.B. Priestley's use of dramatic devices is

most evident.

This part of the play is very important, because it is the opening

scene. Not only must the opening scene of the play grab the audiences'

attention, it must also give impressions and introductions to the main

characters.

J.B. Priestley has used the scene to capture the audiences' attention

and imagination, and gives a good introduction to the characters and

their personality. This scene gives the audience information about the

characters and helps to get the audience interested in the play they

are about to watch.

J.B. Priestley quickly puts across that there is a small celebratio...

... middle of paper ...

... maid, Edna, tells Mr

Birling he replies "An inspector? What kind of inspector?" This is the

first sign that Mr Birling is starting to worry, as he has just quoted

that "so long as we behave ourselves, don't get into a police court or

start a scandal." He is thinking that he or his family might be in

trouble with the law, and is worried because if this is true it may

ruin his chances of receiving a knighthood. He is trying to hide

(unsuccessfully) that he is frightened, which makes the end of the

scene very dramatic, and helps to lead on to the next scene of the

play.

J.B. Priestley's use of dramatic devices is most concentrated in this

scene, though he uses them throughout the play. This has made his play

very successful, and enjoyable to read and watch, even though the

message behind the story is a serious one.