The Dramatic Significance of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

The Dramatic Significance of the Inspector in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

I wasn't too sure of where to start but one of Birling's many speeches

seemed a good enough place, the dramatic significance of this speech

from an audience' point of view was that we already knew through the

process of time that the 'hard-headed, practical man of business' was

actually talking a load of nonsense and that he was non the wiser to

this because it was his direction of thought that unfortunately though

as dramatic as it may be everyone had to listen to, '…and I say there

isn't a chance of war. The world's developing so fast that it'll make

war impossible…and then ships…-the Titanic- she sets sail next week…-

and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable…let's say, in 1940 (hmmm wasn't

there a war going on then?) you may be giving a party like this. …& I

tell you, you'll be living in a world that will have forgotten all of

these Capital versus Labour agitations and these silly little war

scares. There'll be peace and prosperity and rapid development

everywhere.' I don't know whether Priestley has added these in for a

bit of extra spice to the play or so that the audience can almost lose

their trust, respect or possibly even both for Birling.

The time of 1912 could most definitely be described as controversial,

there was the big issue of class, people were expected to know their

place in society and stick to it and moving from one section of the

class system to another was frowned upon by those in power, Mr Birling

along with many of the other factory owners believed that because he

was of a higher class he could make the decisions for ever...

... middle of paper ...

...le more depth / intelligence / emphasis on his very last but

certainly not least speech. He groups together : 'their lives, their

hopes and fears, their suffering…what we think, say and do.' The

arguably most important part of the very important speech is about the

magical lines in which the Inspector entered the Birlings once happy

occasion, quite contrary to what Birling was rambling on about… 'We

don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for

each other'

This exit shows the effect that one man had upon a 'valued' family

that was the Birlings, he walks straight out, leaving them staring,

subdued and wondering SHEILA is still quietly crying. MRS BIRLING has

collapsed into a chair, ERIC is still brooding desperately, BIRLING,

the only active one ...stops looks gloomily at the other three...'