An Inspector Calls
The Inspector in the play "An Inspector calls" is used as a dramatic device. A dramatic device is something the writer uses to create tension, suspense and drama; it's also something that is used to drive the plot of the play forward as well as create structure within the play.
As he questions the Birling family one by one, the Inspector builds up tension between the family members. He questions the family individually while the others are in the room which builds drama and creates suspense for the audience. A lot of the characters are unhappy about the one to one questioning and they become wary of the Inspector. Sheila described it as "he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves."
At the start of the play we see the family as a "happy family" enjoying a meal to celebrate an engagement, but the Inspector manages to rip the family apart. Sheila for example says "You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here." It is true at the end of the play every member of the family is different and has been changed due to the influence of the Inspector. Some have been affected emotionally, some by their place in society. Mr Birling at the start of the play thinks of himself as a gentleman high up in society and on his way to earning a knighthood "heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech." Mr Birling and Mrs Birling act quite snobbish and quite big headed. They believe that they always know best, but they are portrayed as quite naive in a way, for example at the talk of war Mr Birling says "I speak as a hard headed business man, there isn't a chance of war" this was foolish of Mr Birling. The play was set in 1912, two years before the First World War. When the Inspector entered the play he tried to place some blame on each member of the family. Mr Birling denies he's had any part in Eva Smith's murder and refuses to let the Inspector place the blame on him. He acts stubborn and even threatens the Inspector saying that he has contacts in the police service.
The Inspector in the play "An Inspector calls" is used as a dramatic device. A dramatic device is something the writer uses to create tension, suspense and drama; it's also something that is used to drive the plot of the play forward as well as create structure within the play.
As he questions the Birling family one by one, the Inspector builds up tension between the family members. He questions the family individually while the others are in the room which builds drama and creates suspense for the audience. A lot of the characters are unhappy about the one to one questioning and they become wary of the Inspector. Sheila described it as "he's giving us the rope - so that we'll hang ourselves."
At the start of the play we see the family as a "happy family" enjoying a meal to celebrate an engagement, but the Inspector manages to rip the family apart. Sheila for example says "You and I aren't the same people who sat down to dinner here." It is true at the end of the play every member of the family is different and has been changed due to the influence of the Inspector. Some have been affected emotionally, some by their place in society. Mr Birling at the start of the play thinks of himself as a gentleman high up in society and on his way to earning a knighthood "heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech." Mr Birling and Mrs Birling act quite snobbish and quite big headed. They believe that they always know best, but they are portrayed as quite naive in a way, for example at the talk of war Mr Birling says "I speak as a hard headed business man, there isn't a chance of war" this was foolish of Mr Birling. The play was set in 1912, two years before the First World War. When the Inspector entered the play he tried to place some blame on each member of the family. Mr Birling denies he's had any part in Eva Smith's murder and refuses to let the Inspector place the blame on him. He acts stubborn and even threatens the Inspector saying that he has contacts in the police service.