Explain how J B Priestley builds up dramatic tension in “An Inspector Calls”.

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Explain how J B Priestley builds up dramatic tension in “An Inspector Calls”

The play “An Inspector Calls, was written by J B Priestley within a week of World War 2 ending in 1945, but set in 1912, when Britain still had its Empire and was a wealthy country. Priestley believed that the time span between these dates is to make us aware of what has happened and learn from the mistakes made. Mr Birling like many other industrialists of the time was blind to the consequences of his actions as well as events happening around him, he was certain that there would be no war and that the Titanic was invincible and could never sink. He believed in every man for himself, and to ignore those who think that we should look after others. He is unable to see why nations go to war. It never occurs to him that people may value other things more greatly. He is a prosperous factory owner, whose first priority’s in life is to make money.

The play commences in a very comforting room, the mood is very relaxed and comforting, as the lighting is “pink and intimate”, and is very soft. The characters are all in good moods and everyone is having a good time. It is so good infact that Mr Birling decides to make a speech. Mr Birling baffles on and on about certain things that aren’t really appropriate, and says this, “is that how a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course” he carry’s on for quite a bit, and then…”RING!!”

This is a dramatic part of the scene because; the door bell has infact interrupted Mr Birlings speech, leaving the audience to see if he is annoyed by this. At this point the audience are curious to see who is at the door. This is how tension is created in the play, as you don’t know who is actually behind the door, for all the audience know at this moment it could be a murderer or a thief. There is a big pause for drama, as if they were waiting for something, then the door is answered and the Inspector enters. As soon as the Inspector enters the room the mood is changed, as if he had just built a brick wall right in front of the happiness in the room.

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The Inspector asks for Mr Birling and straight away starts to look at Mr Birling very suspiciously. Mr Birling wonders what on earth this inspector is doing in his home, and wonders what he has done to receive an Inspector at his door. The Inspector then starts to ask the intense questions, where he tells the story of a young lady named Eva Smith. He then carries on to say that she had died in an Infirmary after taking a dose of disinfectant. Mr Birling wonders what he has to do with all of this as the Inspector goes on ...

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