How does Priestley create tension in this extract? In “An Inspector Calls”, during the extract, Priestley uses tension to create a dramatic scene. Tension is an important part of the play as in many situations, such as when the audience finds out about Eva Smith’s death, it leads to feelings like guilt and shameful confessions, among the characters. At the start of the extract, Priestley creates dramatic tension when Mrs Birling says, “ Certainly. And he ought to be dealt with very severely-.” Certainly shows that Mr Birling believes the man who was responsible for impregnating Eva Smith and stealing money for her was entirely at fault and should receive all the punishments associated with her death. However, Mrs Birling is interrupted …show more content…
It all starts with the Inspector: “Inspector holds up a hand… Eric enters, looking extremely pale and distressed.” Firstly, the fact that all the Inspector needs to do to retake control and silence those around him is to hold “up a hand”, symbolising his authority and power over the Birling family. Even though the prime suspect of the crime has just entered the room, he still maintains a calm attitude and confidence. Therefore, the audience takes note of the Inspector’s power to handle the tension. On the other hand, the audience might feel intimidated the Inspector’s command because he is such a powerful individual. After this, Eric enters, his face being “extremely pale.” To be pale is to lose the colour and contrast of one’s face, meaning that Eric was white. Ghosts are also claimed to be white fictionally. They stem from apparitions of dead people, suggesting the Eric could be in a fatal situation. As they are shadowy presences, many people have a fear or phobia towards them, implying that Eric could be making his family greatly afraid. Alternatively, ghosts are normally infamous for carrying spooky, vital messages to people, in this case, Priestley portraying Eric as one could be himself passing messages to the audience through the play. This could be that the lower class can fight the upper class, as the Inspector is in defense of Eva Smith, and he’s successful
it will create. He makes a toast to the couple and to the fact that
Priestley shows that the tension is within Birling’s family in many ways. He has created the setting of the play in Birling’s dining room where all the traumatic situations occur, it’s also where they hear unpleasant news from Inspector’s arrival. This setting also makes it seem claustrophobic where the audience are controlled by Inspector’s enquiry which heightens the tension of the play between the exit and entrance in the play. An Inspector Calls starts off calmly with ‘pink and intimate’ lighting which once after Inspector’s arrival the atmosphere becomes ‘brighter and harder’. Priestley here is showing us the warning of the forthcoming quandaries. This could also mean the calmness will no longer last as the play goes on just as how Mr. Birling’s optimism is short-sighted.
she needed more money. So she said to him give me 25/6 because of that
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
The Dramatic Techniques J.B. Priestley Used to Create and Develop Tension in Act one of An Inspector Calls
“I thought that I had worked it all out in the book, “ she says. “But seeing this play has had a cathartic effect.” The skeletons no doubt, are out of the closet.”
"And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I don't need to know any
Examine Priestley's use of dramatic techniques to create tension in the play. Priestly was a socialist writer, and 'An Inspector Calls' is one of the plays in which he tried to display his socialist ideals in. The play was written in the 1940's, a little after the end of the Second World War, and it was first performed in 1946, in Russia, then later in England. Priestly had served in World War 1, and the terrible scenes he saw lead to him having socialist views. He was inspired by other writers whose views he shared, especially George Orwell and H.G.
A ‘sharp ring is heard of the front door bell’ interrupting Mr. Birling’s dialogue that explicates “that a man has to make his own way- has to look after himself” as though the ‘sharpness’ of the ring is opposing Birling’s ‘solemnity’ in his words. The stage direction instantly demonstrates juxtaposition between the Birling and the other anonymous individual; this also generates tension because of the fact that the individual is yet to be introduced. Eric felt very ‘uneasy’ after Edna said to Birling that an Inspector has arrived which gives the audience clues of Eric being involved in a crime, Eric’s uneasiness also makes Birling ‘sharply’ stare at Eric- this creates suspense for the audience.
Priestley’s Main Aim in An Inspector Calls JB Priestly wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ to enhance the message that ‘we don’t live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other’. This is something Priestly felt strongly about and he succeeded in representing his views through the character of the Inspector in the play itself. He wanted to communicate the message that our actions, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, always affect others.
Tension is defined as “pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome, such as the ending of a mystery novel”(reference.com). In Hamlin Garland’s story, “Up the Coolly” and Sherwood Anderson’s story “The Departure”, both authors portray the tension at a subtle amount throughout the story. In Sherwood Anderson’s short story is about a man makes a life changing decisions which causes the past to fulfil his brain and make him realize that all his memories were made in Ohio. Now that he has made the decision moved to New York, the people who surround him give him advice and get him ready for what the city holds for him. In the same way, “Up the Coolly” provides a dark and depressing vibe that is expressed off the main character Howard
Consider the role of the Inspector in “An Inspector Calls”? And what we learn about Priestley’s view on society through the character and his effect on others.
This extract comes at the end of act one, after Sheila confesses to her role in Daisy Renton’s sacking from Milwards. In this extract it appears the focus of the inspectors inquiry is moving towards Gerald. In the beginning of the extract Priestley creates tension through the persistent questioning by Sheila of Gerald and Gerald’s repeated denial of his knowledge of her even when it is obvious that he had had contact with Daisy. As the extract progresses tension is built due to Gerald confession to knowing daisy but his unwillingness to convey any further information and Sheila’s blunt refusal to comply to this lack of information. Lastly at the end of the passage tension is shown through Gerald’s apprehensive attitude to sharing this information
family, but it must not be 'cosy’ or homely. The lighting is to be a
At the end of the play, he becomes a determined and reliable character as he understands what he has done and now has someone who understands him(Sheila). His concern about Eva, even after the inspector turned out to be a 'fake', "This girl's still dead, isn't she? Nobody's brought her to life, have they?","I still feel the same about it, and that's why I don't feel like sitting down and have a nice cozy talk" proves his sincerity for he will never forget what he has done. He admits his faults and is remorseful of his behavior. He has grown up considerably by the end of the play and the evening’s events can be seen as his path to adulthood and responsibility. His acknowledgment of guilt and acceptance of social responsibility leads to the audience sympathizing with him and Sheila stating ‘Eric’s absolutely right. And it’s the best thing any one of us has said tonight and it makes me feel a bit less ashamed of us.’ However, Priestley clearly wants the readers to understand that Eric is not a complete villain and that he is apparently an outcome of his upbringing and