An inspector calls

This essay hasn't yet been marked by one of our teachers

You can view all our essays on Composition that have been Marked by Teachers

The first 200 words of this essay...

XXXXXXX XXXXX Mrs XXXXXX

GCSE Twentieth Century Drama Coursework - An Inspector Calls

How does Priestley use the Inspector to create a sense of impending doom for the Birling family in act one of An Inspector calls?

There are several themes portrayed by certain characters including responsibility, community, guilt, egocentricity and denial. They are key ideas in Priestley's play An Inspector calls, and contribute to the general sense of imminent trouble. There is a great deal of contrast with regards to social events and historical context between the time the play is set in, 1912 - Pre World Wars, and the first staging of the place, post World war 2, 1945-46 (disputed). This difference is what fuels many ironic statements throughout Act one, mainly by Mr Birling (one example of this is his speech on page 4). The class Hierarchy also plays an important part in the play, as the Birlings are upper-middle class, and Act One conveys this impression of the stereotypes of class very well. The Impact of the staging suggests a money-orientated 'posh' lifestyle surrounding the family, which the audience would generally disapprove of because of the economic slump and more lower classes