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How does JB Priestley portray the character of the Inspector
Where does j.b priestly create dramatic tension in an inspector calls and how
Explain how the inspector is presented in ‘An Inspector Calls’
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In the play “An inspector calls” by J.B priestly, Mr Birling and Shelia Birling have contrasting attitudes to social issues. The author uses this to difference to highlight the diversity between generations and their reaction to situations faced. Arthur Birling is the father to Shelia Birling and is presented as the old fashion generation whereas Shelia is the young generation, who is more aware of the responsibility she has towards other people.The play begins with Mr birling and his family celebrating the engagement of Shelia and Gerald. The atmosphere is happy and light-hearted. Before the inspector arrives, Mr Birling is happy with life and himself “It’s one of the happiest nights of my life.” This shows that Mr Birling is quire selfish because he only thinks that it is one of the happiest nights of his life and not of Shelia and Gerald. At this point everyone is in a happy mood, however their mood soon changes when the inspector arrives, the play shows Mr Birling as an inpatient powerful businessman, the play also shows that Mr Birling is a really proud man he is proud of himself and what he has accomplished. Almost the first thing Mr birling says to the inspector is “I was a alderman for years-and lord mayor two years ago-and I’m still on the bench-so I think I know Bromley police officers pretty well.” Mr Birling is trying to emphasise his status and how important he is to the inspector. His first intention is to make a good impression rather than finding out why the inspector has called; when Mr Birling does ask why the inspector has called Mr Birling soon becomes impatient when the inspector does not fully answer the question. This shows that Mr Birling is an impatient man and it also shows that Mr Birling thinks he is... ... middle of paper ... ...immature because she addresses her parents in an informal way despite she is in her early twenties. However the audience's viewpoint later changes as she accepts the majority of the blame “It was my own fault...At least I'm trying to tell the truth”. Therefore, Sheila is seen to feel the most socially responsible out of the Birling family. To summarise Priestley shapes our view in showing that Author Birling is an selfish, impatient man who won’t change his ways and who didn't learn his lesson, this shows that Mr Birling is the older generation he is old fashioned. Priestley shapes our view in showing that Shelia is a kind caring woman who can take responsibility for her actions, Shelia learnt her lesson and is willing to chance and this shows that she is the younger generation who is more responsible and will admit to what she has done and not try and cover it up.
This is the concept of collective responsibility. Priestley says, 'things could really improve if only people were to become more socially responsible for the welfare of others'. We have to confront our mistakes and learn from them. The play starts off with the Birling family celebrating their daughter's engagement to Gerald Croft. The family included Mr Birling, Mrs Birling, Eric Birling, Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft.
Priestley is attempting to convey to his audience that Mr Birling needs to change, and not only Mr Birling, but the rest of the society that is comparable to him.
In the beginning, Priestley describes the Birlings’ house as ‘a fairly large suburban house’ with ‘good solid furniture of the period’, showing they are upper-middle class and that they have money. They also have servants such as a maid and a cook. Priestley wants to give us an idea that the Birlings are upper class both in possessions and attitudes.
BIRLING I thought you must be. I was an alderman for years - and lord
An Inspector Calls' is primarily focused on he attitudes surrounding the higher classes in 1912, and how these attitudes can lead to actions with potentially devastating consequences. The attitudes are particularly aimed at women, especially those of working class status. In the play women are portrayed as second class citizens, after men. However the difference (e.g. in independence) between upper class men and women is greater than that of working class men and women.
Wells, both of whom references are made to in the opening pages of the play. A lot of the tension in the play is between Birling and the Inspector, both of who are powerful figures in the household and are both vying for dominance, creating a lot of tension. This is symbolic of the global struggle between capitalism and socialism, the Inspector represents Priestley's socialist views, and Birling, the antithesis of the Inspector represents capitalist views, which is made clear through his speech "the interests of Capital steadily increasing prosperity." When the Inspector is there, Birling is very fast to drop the blame on someone else, insisting "I can't accept any responsibility" which is a complete contrast of what the Inspector says, telling the family to "share the blame among yourselves when I have left" This constant conflict, which is often at the heart of the dramatic genre itself, makes sure there is tension whenever the two characters are talking to each other. This conflict is not the only one within the play.
and it is revealed that each member played a part, driving ‘Eva Smith’ to suicide. But as the play progresses an unexpected twist is delivered, when we realise all is not what it seems. ‘An Inspector Calls’ remains relevant because of the issues that often occur in the play. This is when the Birlings as a whole family are prejudiced towards the lower class. An example of this is when Mrs Birling says, “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money.”
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.
The play is the tale of a rich family, that are accosted by a man
The history of the time the play was written helps us to understand the views and the feelings expressed by Priestley in the play. The inspector transfers Priestley’s views and he shows the difference in social classes at the time. A gap which he wants to diminish. He illustrates the reason for this in the play, via the inspector, where he outlines the ways each of the Birlings have influenced someone from a completely different background and social class. This is the way Priestley viewed pre-war England.
Quite importantly, J.B Priestly was a socialist with strong socialist ideas and tendencies. ‘An Inspector Calls’ actually incorporates a mass of Presley’s socialist ideals, and a whole network of underlying morals surface in connection with the apparent storyline. The inspector is used to symbolise Priestly and his liberal ideas of equality and fairness, and through the inspector, Priestly's main aim was to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions, not to shift the blame on to others. The Birling's on the other hand are used to demonstrate the ignorant, perhaps arrogant side of seemingly perfect upper-class families, taking advantage of lower classes and exploiting their rights for their own financial or social status. Priestly established each of his characters in the play the way he thought people were.
Eva Smith but the members of the Birling family all had a part to play
He wanted to give everyone a choice. Should we go back to the way it
Firstly, both playwrights show parents using aggression to attempt to indoctrinate their children. In ‘an inspector calls’ this is shown when Mr Birling attempts to intimidate his son, Eric. When Eric is distressed and angered by his mother; Mr Birling cuts in and says “why you hysterical young fool - get back – or I’ll-” this
... may mean that if a person does not learn from their mistakes the first