Analysis of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

Analysis of An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

J.B Priestley was a playwright concerned with ideas of individual and

collective responsibility, capitalism, socialism, humanity, justice

and equality.

In an Inspector Calls, Priestley uses the death of Eva Smith to

represent abuse, how the upper class use there power on the lower

classes, mistreatment and social injustice.

The play was first preformed in 1946 in which the community would be

conscious about the ideas of capitalism and socialism because of the

difference in class and what was going on at the time for example

getting over the tragedy by caused by war.

Act1 Scene1 opens with intimate pink lighting solid and expensive

furniture, champagne glasses, a bottle of part and glasses. It is set

in a fairly large suburban house. This shows that the family are a

wealthy upper class family.

The mood is very romantic, but at the same time its very exciting as

the Birlings are celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.

The Birlings and Gerald Croft are upper class people in society, with

high profile business’s, that have friendly rivalry. “your father and

I have been friendly rivals in business for some time now- though

crofts limited are both older bigger than Birling and Company- and now

you’ve brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to the

time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working

together- for lower costs and higher prices”

Birling being a Capitalist is arrogant and ignorant. Capitalists aim

for a profit, and Birling shows this by saying “for lower costs and

higher prices”

The sharp ring of the doorbell is effective as it makes the audience

eager and keen to find out who is at the door and what they want. The

door bell signifies a dramatic twist which leaves the characters

confused and worried. The mood goes from being happy to nervous

worried.

The entrance of Inspector Goole baffles the Birling family, as they

don’t have a clue what he could want with them.