An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley

An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley

Introduction

My aim is to explain a key scene from the play ‘An Inspector Calls’,

how it might be staged and to explain the role of my chosen character

Mr Birling in this part of the play.

This is the key scene:

Birling (solemnly)

But this is point. I don’t want to lecture you two young fellows

again. But what so many of you don’t seem to understand now, when

things are so much easier, is that a man has to make his own way – has

to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has

one – and so long as he does that he won’t come to much harm. But the

way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think that everyone

has to look after everyone else, as if we were all mixed up together

like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. But take my

word for it, you youngsters –and I’ve learned in the good hard school

of experience – that a man has to mind his own business and look after

himself and his own – and –

(We hear the sharp ring of the front door bell. Birling stops to

listen.)

Eric

Somebody at the front door.

Birling

Edna’ll answer it. Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then

we’ll join the ladies. That’ll stop me giving you good advice.

Eric

Yes, you’ve piled it on a bit tonight Father.

Birling

Special occasion. And feeling contented, for once, I wanted you to

have the benefit of my experience.

(EDNA enters.)

Edna

Please, sir, an inspector’s called.

Birling

An inspector? What kind of inspector?

Edna

A police inspector. He says his name’s Inspector Goole.

Birling

Don’t know him. Does he want to see me?

Edna

Yes, sir. He says it’s important.

Birling

All right, Edna. Show him in here. Give us some more light.

(EDNA does, then goes out.)

I’m still on the Bench. It may be something about a warrant.

Gerald (lightly)

Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (Nodding

confidentially to Birling) And that would be awkward, wouldn’t it?

Birling (humorously)

Very.

Eric (who is uneasy, sharply)

Here, what do you mean?

Birling (lightly)

Only something we were talking about when you were out. A joke really.

Eric (still uneasy)

Well, I don’t think it’s very funny.

Birling (sharply, staring at him)

What’s the matter with you?

Eric (defiantly)

Nothing.

Edna (opening door, and announcing)

Inspector Goole.

(The INSPECTOR enters, and Edna goes, closing the door after her. The

INSPECTOR need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression

of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his

fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period.