Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Birling and inspector Goole. How does Priestley use dramatic devices to help shape audiences response to view represented in the play.

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Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Birling and inspector Goole.

How does Priestley use dramatic devices to help shape audiences

Response to view represented in the play.

John Boynton Priestley was born in Bradford, Yorkshire on 13th September 1984 the play an inspector calls was written by him in 1945. It came on stage in Burnley Lancashire in 1914, although it was set in 1912. The characters- the Birling family have a dinning room which is constant throughout the play, where there is nothing to distract the audience. Priestley uses many dramatic/linguistic devices to create dramatic irony in order to help shape the audiences response.

When comparing and contrasting Mr. Birling and the Inspector they are two opposite characters, Priestley uses them as representations to educate the audience. When the two characters meet. Birling speaks very posh towards the Inspector to intimidate him and try to make himself look good and great “ oh just before you came - I’d been giving these young men a little advice”. The Inspector  proves to be uninterested and speaks very carefully with short replies. In the play Birling s seen as a “hard headed business man”. With the Inspector priestley shows him to be more than a normal Inspector, with the way he asks the family questions “I think you remember Eva smith now don’t you Mr.Birling” this shows these types of questions require a detailed answer something a normal policeman would not request.

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The difference between the two characters regarding attitudes, morals and values are very different. Birlings attitude to everything means everything has to be of high standards, however Birling does lack refinement “well, well – this is very nice. Very nice good dinner too, Sybil tell cook from me”. This is a perfect example when he compliments the cook. Also when the inspector arrives Birling is very uptight as he cares for his reputation especially with his knighthood coming up “ I might find my way onto the next honours list. Just a knighthood of course” Birling sees a knighthood ...

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