An inspector calls

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AN INSPECTOR CALLS                                           Farha Khan

BY J.B PRIESTLEY

In Act one of ‘An inspector calls’ how does J.B Priestley use dramatic devices to convey his concerns and ideas to the members of the audience, as well as engage and involve them in his play?

‘An Inspector calls’ was written by J.B Priestley he was a man who was very concerned about the consequences of social inequality, he also believed a great deal in socialism and believed that many other people needed to be more caring about their community and the people in it. Priestley uses the character of the Inspector to convey his own thoughts, feelings and opinions about social issues. However, he also uses other characters, particularly Mr.Birling, to show the audience how cynical some people can be. J.B Priestley wrote the play in 1945 but it was set in 1912. At the time the play was set, the world was a very class conscience place with higher and lower class depending on money. Mr Birling is a pretty rich businessman who thinks very highly of himself, Birling’s family respect him evidence to this is the seating order at the dinner table Mr Birling is sat at the head of the table, showing that he is the dominant figure in the family. However despite this all through the play we get to see conflict between the younger generations views and Mr Birling’s for example when Mr Birling expresses his optimist views ‘there isn't a chance of war’ and the Titanic is ‘unsinkable.’ Eric interacts ‘yes, I know but still’ this shows he wants to state his view but Mr Birling stops him by stating that he has too much to learn yet. The statements Mr Birling makes regarding the wars and titanic would be a very irrelevant comment to make in 1912 as everyone knows that there will be war and the titanic will sink this is an example of dramatic irony, the audience would know that Mr Birling was very wrong in his opinions.

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The Inspector comes to the Birling house interrogating them about the death of a girl. He speaks to them one at a time and shows them a photograph of Eva Smith the girl who has committed suicide. He comes with the intension of making the Birlings aware of their mistakes and wants to teach them a lesson, However once again we get to see the difference in opinion between the two generations when Eric and Shiela regret what they’ve done but Mr and Mrs Birling do not want to be held responsible for anything that has happened as Mr ...

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