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The portrayal of the inspector in an inspector calls
What dramatic techniques are used in an inspector calls
The portrayal of the inspector in an inspector calls
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Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls After watching and reading ‘an inspector calls’, it is clear to anyone that the inspector is a very special and unusual character. Throughout the play the he questions all of the Birling family and Gerald Croft trying to make them confess the horrible things they have done and making some of them regret their deeds. This shows that J.B priestly represents him as a ‘collective conscience.’ ‘Goole’ the name of the inspector, gives us a clue that the writer intended for him to be thought of as a spirit or ghost (Goole resembling the word ghoul which means an evil spirit.). The inspector is used as a representative of justice, his only purpose is to make the Birling family and Gerald Croft confess their wrong doings and make them feel sorrow for the events that happened. The inspector tries to show them what’s wrong and make them reflect on it so they don’t make the same mistakes again. Eric, Gerald and Shiela all realise and admit their wrong by the end of the play, unlike Arthur and Sybil Birling who stay disobedient till the end. They cannot admit their wrong and say what they did was ‘duty’ and right. Although they say they are right, they probably know they were wrong. This means that the goal for the inspector’s role was accomplished. The inspector is shown as a mysterious character throughout the play. Firstly he does a surprising and sudden visit to the Birling’s home. A powerful sense of ‘massiveness’, ‘solidity’ and ‘purposefulness’ surrounds the atmosphere as he enters. He speaks in a very professional and cautious way, he very effectively intimidates the Birlings, making them feel more fear and more likely to confess. E.g. His habit of staring hard at a person before talking to them. The inspector is in his mid-fifties and looks smart and respectful, this gives an impression that he is very professional. He interrupts the Birling’s dinner party right at the important part of their conversation, this shows that what the inspector is going to say or do
family, but it must not be 'cosy’ or homely. The lighting is to be a
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.
Sheila Birling is another character in ?An Inspector Calls? who also points this out during the play, ?You fool- he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don?t know yet. You?ll see. You?ll see.?
A Comparison of Characters of Mr. Birling and Inspector Goole in J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls
As the play was meant to be produced on stage, rather than to be written as a book format, 'An Inspector Calls' is very dramatic; to capture the audiences' attention, and to keep them thinking as the play develops. Each of the three acts are very dramatic, but I am choosing to analyse the first half of Act One of 'An Inspector Calls', because in my opinion, this is where J.B. Priestley's use of dramatic devices is most evident. This part of the play is very important, because it is the opening scene. Not only must the opening scene of the play grab the audiences' attention, it must also give impressions and introductions to the main characters. J.B. Priestley has used the scene to capture the audiences' attention and imagination, and gives a good introduction to the characters and their personality.
· The social class system at the time when the play is set, (rich and
is here to see him this might be a secret message by J.B Priestly (the
"And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. I don't need to know any
The idea of him being ghostly also gives you the impression that he is like a figure of God seeing everything that humanity does to each other. The only physical impression you get of the Inspector is massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. Also he grows and remains solid when each of the other characters break down. The Inspector demonstrates his views of how people’s actions are responsible for how they affect the lives of others. He sees the world as a community where everyone should be helping each other (socialism).
JB Priestley’s intent in ‘An Inspector Calls’ was to convey the attitudes of socialism to the minds of the society in the Edwardian Era as he was a passionate believer of the concept. Priestley has attempted this through the employment of ‘Inspector Goole’ in the play. In the play drama is displayed through a variety of methods for the interest of the audience and the communication of personal views from JB Priestley.
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.
The Inspector, straight form his introduction, is commanding and authoritative. Upon his entrance he creates, “…at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness.”(PG.11) The Inspector continues to create this impression as he progresses through his speeches and through his interrogation of the family. The Inspector remains confident, sturdy and composed, while people around him crumble and fall to pieces. His ‘solidity’ is proven by the fact he remains on task despite numerous attempts from Birling to digress from the points he is making. The Inspector is told to appear ‘purposeful’; this is shown where he explains to Birling that Birlings way of thinking “Every man must only look out for himself,” is not the case, and all warps of society are interlinked. The view is best illustrated in the Inspectors final speech, where he says, “We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other.”(p.56). This idea is one that Priestley, himself believed in deeply, and many of Priestleys writing shared this very theme.
they have done even know they do not lead her to her suicide. But a
The play is set at the turn of the century and is centred on a wealthy
to get a Knighthood, he believes that he will due to all the work he