Essay- An Inspector Calls
The mood in Act 1 of the play undergoes a significant change. Priestley uses different techniques throughout the play to build up suspense and tension and the end of the act catches up the audience in the tense atmosphere Priestley has created.
In the beginning of Act 1 the mood in the Birling household is jolly and high hearted, "Giving us the port Edna? You ought to like this port Gerald'' this give us the impression that the mood is joyful because they are drinking and wanting to include everyone in the party; "special occasion" this just adds to our ideas concerning the atmosphere between the characters conveying an image of happiness and celebration. Gerald makes the comment "You all seem to be a nice, well-behaved family" which is ironic because of all the troubles to come later in the play.
The special occasion is the engagement between Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft, Mr Birling is pleased that Sheila is marrying Gerald for two reasons: he likes Gerald and Gerald's father is the owner of a more powerful business and Mr. Birling is hoping for a merger between the two companies. The statement: " It's one of the happiest nights of my life" proves that he likes Gerald and he is happy for Sheila. This next quotation conveys that Mr. Birling would like a merger with Gerald's father's company:
"We may look forward to a time when Crofts and Birling's
Are no longer competing but are working together -
For lower costs and higher prices."
This shows Mr. Birling's enthusiastic interest in the engagement, which therefore provides added reason to celebrate in a happy atmosphere. Mr Birling always has a lot to say, and is the dominant speaker out of the family so they all follow his lead, which gives a decisive encouragement to the merger.
The entrance of the Inspector plays an essential part in the changing of the atmosphere. Firstly as soon as the Inspector is mentioned the tension increases, " A police inspector. He says his name's Inspector Goole". This event adds to the tension on two counts: initially the name Goole adds suspense by the association with the ghoul as an evil creature, casting a shadow and adding an edge. Here Priestly hints to the audience that the Inspector is going to be the cause of something unfortunate for the Birling family. Secondly, mentioning that he is a police inspector adds to the tension because usually when the police are mentioned all the signs point to trouble. Priestley's technique here to add tension is good because the audience are now drawn into the play, eager to see what business a policeman has at a jolly family gathering and waiting to see what twist the plot will take.
The Inspector's approach to the investigation also adds to the suspense building, as he uses questions and technique. One of these ways is by how hostile and formal the Inspector is:
"It might be, you know, I don't like that tone"
The hostility really gives the impression of the mood starting to turn bitter and sour through the role of the inspector and the questions he asks: " I think you remember Eva Smith now, don't you Mr Birling?" The language used conveys the impression of bitterness the way the Inspector says "you" twice makes us ...
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The Inspector's approach to the investigation also adds to the suspense building, as he uses questions and technique. One of these ways is by how hostile and formal the Inspector is:
"It might be, you know, I don't like that tone"
The hostility really gives the impression of the mood starting to turn bitter and sour through the role of the inspector and the questions he asks: " I think you remember Eva Smith now, don't you Mr Birling?" The language used conveys the impression of bitterness the way the Inspector says "you" twice makes us think the inspector is patronising Mr Birling by telling him what he knows and perhaps hinting at Mr. Birling knowing more than the others about Eva Smith.
Another way is to give his own judgment to the events in asking leading questions, whereas a genuine police inspector would not do this: "Better to ask for the earth than to take it" shows his opinion when Mr Birling is telling him about Eva Smith, the strike and the sacking. Giving his opinion adds to the tension because it is an alternative viewpoint of the of the strike which implies Mr Birling seem in the wrong to sack her. In these comments, the Inspector is of acting as a social commentator, comparing and contrasting the power of Mr Birling over Eva Smith, and perhaps suggesting that he does not wholly agree with his actions prior to the suicide.
One of the other ways Inspector Goole transforms the tone is the way he only follows "one line of the enquiry" This is shown when he reaches for the picture of Eva in his pocket and will only let Mr Birling see it -
"Any particular reason why I shouldn't see this girls photographs?
(Coolly looking hard at him) There might be.
And I suppose the same applies to me?
Yes"
This is our first hint in the play that there is something suspicious, only letting one person see the photograph is a bit odd. The Inspector here adds drama and tension by his actions, looking hard at Birling making the mood more sour. This may be because every picture he shows is a different one. Only letting one-person look gives the impression that the Inspector is a shrewd character.
Another way tension is added is by the incisive phrases used by the Inspector such as "No sir I can't agree with you there" and "It's my duty to ask questions" also "I don't see much of him" (Colonel Roberts) The way he answers these short, sharp and straight to the point. This nature of razor-sharp language indicates that he knows something that Mr. Birling doesn't know. Furthermore he says these comments in an ice-cool or sharp manner.
An additional way the atmosphere is transformed is due to the role of the inspector and the way he brings the ghastly news about the suicide, with his graphic descriptions designed to puncture the jolly, happy atmosphere.
"I'd like some information, if you don't mind, Mr Birling. Two hours ago a young woman died in the infirmary. She'd been taken there this afternoon because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course."
The way the Inspector delivers the news of the girl's death is so calm and cool, it sends the audience into shock, going into the gruesome details which a policeman would normally not do.
"Yes, she was in great agony. They did everything they could for her a t the infirmary, but she died. Suicide of course."
This quotation further highlight the points made it also shows the writer's technique here. Writing with short sharp sentences adding tension and drama, and completely turning the play's atmosphere into one of shock.
The atmosphere also turns from relaxed to tense by the reaction of Mr. Birling, Sheila, Gerald and Eric. Mr Birling's reaction is one of surprise that he is being asked questions; his language and attitude towards the inspector are obstinate. He thinks he is superior to the Inspector and higher up on the social ranking, so that he can treat Inspector Goole like dirt.He is tries to get rid of him as fast as possible so he can carry on with the celebrations;
(Rather impatiently) "Yes, yes. Horrid business. But I don't understand why you should come here, inspector-"
This quotation shows Arthur Birling's true colours, uncaring and highly-strung. This reaction will stun the audience because of his cold-heartedness. He was doing his best to try and avoid anything to do with the case because he is apparently in next years honours list for a knighthood.
When Mr Birling feels threatened by the Inspector he just reminds the inspector how he has associates in high places so he feels he is absolved from the blame. In this quotation he is talking about Colonel Roberts, and can only exacerbate further the Inspector.
"Perhaps I ought to warn you that he's an old friend of mine, and that I see him fairly frequently. We play golf together sometimes up at the West Bromley."
This gives the audience the impression of Mr Birling being hesitant and adds drama for the reason that it makes him look guilty.
Additionally his reaction when Sheila is questioned is interesting. He tries to protect Sheila from the inspector by trying to get Sheila back into the drawing room; "We shall be along in a minute now, just finishing" and "Nothing to do with you Sheila run along" shows how keen he is to get Sheila out of the room and away from the Inspector. His keenness to manage the Inspector and get rid of him makes it appear to the audience (and probably to the Inspector) that he has something to hide.
The reaction of Sheila on the other hand is very different from that of her father's. She is the family conscience throughout the play. In this act she criticises her father and is the only one who is upset when she hears the terrible news about Eva. Her reaction
And language is emotional and blunt. For example " Oh- how horrible! Was it an accident?" this is an example of emotive language and shows that Sheila was the only one with concern for the girl.
Sheila is guileless and open, ready to admit her knowledge of Eva and the possibility of an unwitting involvement in her death and refuses to protect anyone; she just comes straight out with the truth
"(Distressed) I went to the manager at Milwards and I told him that if they didn't get rid of that girl, I'd never go near to the place again and I'd persuade Mother to close our account with them."
This is emotive language and will set the audience to amazement in Sheila's part in this because the character does not seem to do that type of thing.
At this period in time women were treated as "second" class citizens as this was before the suffragette movement. Women did not have the vote or financial equality in the workplace and it was difficult for women to secure a good standard of living independently of men usually through a "good" marriage or parent's wealth. This illustrates the difference in circumstances between Sheila and Eva. Sheila enjoys upper-class wealth and protection, whereas Eva has to maintain herself and has no family wealth or husband to fall back on. This serves to highlight that Sheila's pampered background has not given her any perspective on the consequences of her actions, and that the influence of class and wealth in 1912 was a very strong influence on the daily lives of working-class people.
The reactions of Gerald and Eric also play a decisive role in the changing of the mood from relaxed to tense for instance when Eric asks "Can I go to bed" and then is advised against it by the Inspector this leaves the audience in anticipation to see what Eric's involvement is in this debacle. This gives the audience an impression of a secret hidden from his family, which he does not want them to find out.
Gerald's reaction with seeing the Inspector also gives the impression that he has something to hide as well as Eric "Look here, sir, wouldn't you rather I was out of this" He is attempting to abscond at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore at the end of the act, when Gerald and Sheila are alone he begs her to keep a secret from the Inspector Then the curtain falls leaving the end of the act on a cliff-hanger keeping the audience bubbling with excitement and anticipation. This builds up a lot of tension, hence the cliffhanger.
The lighting in a theatre can be very symbolic and significant in the play adding tension, fear, comedy and so on. For instance in "An Inspector Calls" at the start of the play there is a dim pink light to aid the celebration and relaxed atmosphere, the mood is jolly. But the minute the Inspector arrives the illumination changes to a "harsh bright light" which symbolises a change in the mood and heightens interrogation. This is also an indicator for the audience that tension is building and something is about to erupt; the story is keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Therefore in conclusion Priestly has introduced tension before the inspector arrives on stage with a "half playful- half serious" tone representing a hint of tension. The superficial "relaxed" dinner party is rapidly destabilized when the inspector arrives. He smashes the sense of false security and tries to get the Birling's to realize their errors and admit responsibility. The Birling's symbolize a microcosm of civilization at the time (1910), and clearly illustrate the class system in Britain at that time. In particular, Mr Birling's anticipatory conversation with Gerald regarding his 'knighthood', and the social suitability of the impending marriage highlights his social climbing aspirations. Priestley wrote the play in nineteen-forty-five at the end of World War two, and he wanted to commentate on all the things that have happened. Since 1910 such as the Titanic, and to show how much two world wars have changed society and the woman's role in life. He also portrays a deeper message he wants to advocate a sense of community- people looking after each other
Joe Gill, 10A1 GCSE Assignment - An Inspector Calls
