An Inspector Calls

Jo McIntosh

9517

Highcliffe School: 55215

In Act One of ‘An Inspector Calls’ how does JB Priestley use dramatic devices to convey his concerns and ideas to the members of the audience, as well as interest and involve them in his play?  The concerns and messages that tha t JB Priestley puts forth in the play ‘An Inspector Calls’ are the th e inequalities in society and how he seeks to promote socialist ideas. Priestley  juxtaposes socialism and capitalism, Mr. Birling is symbolic of the views of capitalism and the Inspector is the mouthpiece of Priestley and his socialist viewpoint. Collective responsibility is another concern shared share d with the audience – ‘we are all members of one body’.  The play is set in 1912, although it was 1945 when wh en the play was first performed. This is important as Priestley writes in retrospect, her uses the Edwardian era to show us the unfairness of an unequal or unbalanced society. Priestley uses dramatic devices in a number of ways to convey his concerns. Firstly, he uses dramatic irony such as when Birling says ‘I say there isn’t a chance of war… the Titanic… and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable… facts like that.’ With the Second World War and the fact Titanic did sink, the audience have this knowledge, so think Birling a fool. The dramatic irony, used by Priestley, Pr iestley, mocks Birling and promotes the Inspectors views instead of Birling’s. Birling also says ‘The world’s developing so fast that it’ll make war impossible’ – a hugely ironic statement in view of the technical nature of modern warfare. Priestley’s use of lighting adds atmosphere to the whole play, such as, at the beginning, it is ‘Pink and intimate’ in the room where the Birlings are eating, as if they are surrounded by their own aura of happiness. Yet when the Inspector arrives, the lighting becomes ‘a bright and harder light’ as if  the Inspector’s presence is already exposing the Birlings to reality. The ringing of the doorbell is significant as it takes away the Birlings from their perfect evening into the harsh Word Count: 1,004

Jo McIntosh

9517

Highcliffe School: 55215

realities they shy away from. It is also significant that the Inspector rings the doorbell just as Birling is making his speech about ‘community and all that nonsense’ – this could be suggestive of socialisms need to disrupt or challenge existing orders.  The stage directions at the opening of the play show the Birlings as respected, wealthy, comfortable Capitalists ‘champagne glasses’ etc. Yet there is a sense of formality and distance between them – ‘not cosy and homelike’. This distance could already suggest hidden secrets each character is exposed to throughout the play. Priestley juxtaposes the opposing views of the Inspector and Birling – ‘we are all members of one body’ against ‘a man has to make his own way’. The Inspector shows that socialism is true/honest and he avoids euphemisms yet uses graphic imagery – ‘burnt her insides out’. The Inspector comes across as Omniscient and a God-like figure. He is considered a threat – ‘blood and fire and anguish’ and possible a ghostly figure – ‘Goole’ – ghoul? He incites the audience to recognize and understand the depth of his message – ‘we are all members of one body’. Some people believe the Birlings are symbolic of the 7 deadly sins. Birling might represent greed/pride; Gerald symbolizes lust as Sheila symbolizes envy. Sybil could represent wrath and Eric, sloth/lust. Yet both Sheila and Eric express remorse for Eva Smith’s death, which could symbolize hope for the future. Another dramatic device Priestley uses is the tension he creates when underlying secrets amongst the Birlings are revealed. For example, when the Inspector mentions that ‘she stopped being Eva Smith, looking for a job, and became Daisy Renton,’ Gerald replies with ‘Where did you get the idea that I did know her?’ As the audience already trusts and believes the Inspector, they feel the tension created by Priestley and wonder what link Gerald has with this girl too.

Word Count: 1,004

Jo McIntosh

9517

Highcliffe School: 55215

 The timings of the play are dramatic too, such as the moment that the Inspector arrives just after Birlings speech on Capitalism and ‘the younger generation’. The fact that the Inspector changes the views of Sheila and Eric (‘the younger generation’) shows his effects on people. Both Sheila and Eric are the only ones that feel responsible for Eva Smith’s death, signifying effects on ‘the younger generation’. The final re-entrance of the Inspector at the end of Act One, he says ‘well?’ which shows that socialism demands answers.  The methods used to interest and involve the audience, plus the fact that much of Act One is actually ironic in retrospect, is due to the dramatic irony Priestley creates.  The way characters exits are used to further the plot is significant as this leave the Inspector free to interrogate the individual Birlings. For example, when Arthur Birling leaves the room where the Inspector is free to question Gerald and when Gerald leaves, then returns in Act Three. As soon as the Inspector arrives and starts to interrogate the Birlings, our opinions on them change. From a privileged, rich, wealthy and respected family to a foolish one, they are exposed to the damage they have cause and the people they’ve affected. I believe the message of the play is the need for socialism and that everyone is responsible for each other. The Inspector signifies the message of the play and the Birlings represent the people that believe in Capitalism and ‘every man for himself’. I believe this message is still relevant today as it tells everyone that you can’t go through life on your own without responsibility.  The dramatic irony used in the play teaches us not to be certain about anything and that there are still possibilities.  The lighting exposes the audience, as well as the Birling’s, to the harsh realities they are oblivious too. The stage directions teach us that appearances don’t show us the true Word Count: 1,004

Jo McIntosh

9517

Highcliffe School: 55215

people we are e.g. the Birlings and their secrets the Inspector reveals. Community and collective responsibility are central in the play and Priestley shows this, along with his concerns, ideas and messages, by using dramatic devices.

Word Count: 1,004