An inspecter calls coursework

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Andy McAlister

“An Inspector Calls” Coursework

“How would you bring out the key themes and ideas of “An Inspector Calls” in a performance?

The play “An Inspector Calls” is set within the dining room of a wealthy Midlands family in 1912, the play was written in 1945 by J.B. Priestley. In 1912 there were many similar families to the Birling’s who were trying to raise their social standing and look down on those they considered to be of a lower class. This attitude to class structure of selfishness, greed and the rich looking and pushing down on the poor is illustrated throughout the play and fits in with the mood of the times in 1945 when social change was being called for by many people. Although, The Royal National Theatre Production transports the set to the post-Blitz period, with a dark and powerful opening scene of children playing on a bombsite and the actors can be heard rather than seen.  The main themes that J.B. Priestley explored in the play are; the hierarchy of social classes and how this was based on hypocrisy and selfishness, the conflict between generations and that people should take responsibility. The play is based on the theme of a morality play, as it tries to teach people how they should behave responsibly and illustrates what happens if they do not. As well as being a morality play it is also a political play illustrating left-wing ideas of social responsibility.

To bring out the key themes and ideas of the play so that the audience understands and perhaps even changes their attitude to these concepts it is necessary to have each character clearly illustrated to portray their part, to emphasise the message of the play; Arthur Birling needs to be illustrated as rather pompous and heavy set; Sybil Birling is shown as a rather cold character obsessed with etiquette and her status in society; Sheila Birling is quite attractive but rather spoilt; Eric Birling is quite nervous and paranoid whilst Gerald Croft is handsome, very rich and confident. To add to the drama it is also vital that costumes, props, physicality, music, special effects and lighting are used to greatest effect. Although, the Royal National Theatre performance does put the characters straight into context by using audio cues, rather than visual ones. Nevertheless, this sharp and harsh atmosphere still exudes Priestley’s powerful message of social responsibility. Lighting is also powerful in illustrating this powerful message with at the start of the play the lighting being intimate and pink to reflect the mood then as the Inspector enters with his moral message the lighting gets harsher and harder reflecting the darkening mood. This work will cover how the play illustrates the themes of social responsibility, judging others, guilt and responsibility and the effects of social division and the message that J.B Priestley wanted to achieve that we must all take responsibility, and consider that our actions can have very significant effects.

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An example of social responsibility is where Sybil Birling turns Eva Smith away from the charity “I did nothing I’m ashamed of that won’t bear investigation. The girl asked for assistance. We were asked to look carefully into the claims made upon us” I wasn’t satisfied with the girls claim.” When Mrs Birling delivers these lines she would be standing very upright, head held up high, she would speak these lines very clearly with a certain arrogance in her voice. This would achieve a feeling of anger towards her because she doesn’t feel sorry for what she has done. By ...

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