"An Inspector Calls" By JB Priestley

The first 200 words of this essay...

"An Inspector Calls" By JB Priestley

Post 1914 Drama

"Who do you think is the most to blame for the death of Eva Smith?"

The play takes place in the dining room of the Birlings' house in Brumley, an industrial town in the North Midlands. It is an evening in spring, 1912. Arthur Birling, a prosperous manufacturer, is holding a family dinner party to celebrate his daughter's engagement. Into this cosy scene intrudes the harsh figure of a Police inspector investigating the suicide of a young working class woman, Eva Smith. Under the pressure of his interrogation, every member of the family turns out to have a shameful secret, which links them with her death. The Inspector is first introduced into the play under the attitude of fear and importance, as Priestley describes his presence under the clothing and looks which the Inspector prevails over his suspects.

..."dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period"...

..."Has a disconcerting habit of looking hard at the person he addresses before actually speaking"...

This description of character of the Inspector would create an atmospheric, fearful impression on the audience, as the audience would see the