Critical evaluation of An Inspector Calls

1844 Words4 Pages

Critical evaluation of An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

‘An Inspector Calls’ is a play set in the mystery/ detective thriller

genre. It is set in 1912 however it was written by J.B Priestly in

1945 and staged in Moscow. As he lived through both wars he could see

what had actually happened in the time the play was set. J.B Priestly

uses the characters to express his views on the issue of social

responsibility, morality and about class divisions with many themes

including greed, regret, guilt and blame.

An Inspector Calls’ is about the Birling family who are quite

wealthy. They are celebrating their daughters engagement with her

fiancé, Gerald. An Inspector arrives and breaks up the party,

questioning the family on the death of a young Eva Smith, who had

killed herself by drinking disinfectant. Upon questioning each member

of the family seems to be involved in her death and is slowly forced

to confess. When the Inspector finally leaves they find out that he is

a fake. But at the very end they get a phone call telling them that a

young woman has just killed herself and that there is an Inspector on

his way to speak to them about it. An Inspector Calls is what is known

as a well made play. Its progression is that from ignorance to

knowledge (for both the audience and the characters).

During the course of the play the action is mostly focused on Eva

Smith/ Daisy Renton. At the beginning of the play Sheila is described

as a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and

rather excited. The reader gets the impression that she is a very

relaxed, spoilt, and innocent girl who is very naïve.

At the start of the play Sheila has a very good, happy relationship

with her family and fianc...

... middle of paper ...

...ing about the public finding out

and if the inspector is real or fake.

Sheila is the character which is explored in this essay.

Responsibility is developed through her character as her reactions and

responses are compared to her family’s. Although she is the youngest,

she behaves in a mature manner answering the Inspector’s questions

whereas her family refuses. She understands what has happened and

takes responsibility for her actions.

Change is developed from the beginning to the very end. In the

beginning Sheila is carefree, innocent and naïve. She has no worries

or concerns. However towards the end she develops a social conscience

and an understanding of the real world. She is emotionally stronger

and has doubts about her parents. She has learnt a lot from her

experience and even though the inspector was a fraud she is still

aware of her actions.

Open Document