Dramatic irony is used mainly in the text of Mr Birlings speech to Gerald Croft, stating his opinions on the events of the near future. Birling believes “there isn’t a chance of war” and that the titanic is “absolutely unsinkable”, however the irony of this speech is that the audience watching in 1945 know that there were two world wars and that the Titanic did sink on its first journey. This irony gives the impression of arrogance and stupidity towards Mr Birling from the viewing audience, which builds up to an intimate dislike towards the character at the beginning of the play. This dislike carries on all through the play, for example when the Inspector arrives and gives evidence of the mistreating of Eva Smith by Mr Birling this confirms the audience’s thoughts of him being one of the nasty characters.
The second dramatic device used is the doorbell at which the Inspector arrives. Mr Birling and Gerald were in the middle of talking about organisational structure and discipline of the different social classes, Birling states that “a man has to make his own way” and “look after himself”, the conversation led to the topic of younger generations and their lack of respect in society. The fact the doorbell was sounded at this point in the conversation gives the impression to the audience of coincidence, however when the play ends, the audience may realise that the doorbell was placed in that particular conversation as a device to convey the socialist message. They realise that the Inspector is a person who thinks that social inequality is wrong, and that he was put in the scene at that moment deliberately, to make the Birling family think about how they treat people in a lower class, hence splitting up the inequality between classes.
Another dramatic device used is the effect the Inspector has on the main characters on the play. A negative effect is placed on Birling as he feels threatened by the Inspector and feels intimidated by his power. The effect of the Inspector on Sheila is the fact that after war breaks out she will need to work for her country. Sheila is more accepting of the lower class; this is shown by her reaction to the photograph of Eva Smith. The fact that she sobbed may show that she has a lot more sympathy towards Eva in contras with Mr Birling who just seemed to shrug it off. The Inspector makes her think about what she did to Eva Smith and this changes her attitude toward the lower classes for the better, as she has more respect for them once the inspector leaves. The Inspector also has a negative effect on Gerald. He didn’t realise the inspector was going to talk to him but when he did he got rather annoyed and also very embarrassed about his hidden secret which eventually comes out to Sheila, this leads to strain being put on the couple and their engagement ending. These effects give the impression on the audience that the Inspector has an un-natural effect on the family’s feelings, which brings the audience to wonder if this man really exists.
The final device used in Act 1 is the photograph of Eva Smith used by the Inspector. The photograph is shown to Mr Birling and Sheila in Act 1. The effect on Birling after viewing the photograph is not very great, however Birling’s body language after seeing the image hints to the Inspector that he recognises the woman. The effect on Sheila is much more intimate, as she runs out of the room crying. The photograph is used to make the audience wonder what is so horrific about the image and the characters’ reactions also help to give this effect to the audience.
In conclusion, by delivering the socialist message of inequality the audience are left sat on the edge of their seats in parts of the play as a whole, in particular Act 1. This is because of the linking events having an effect of tension and suspense among the audience as they wait to know what is coming next.
