How does Priestley succeed in sustaining tension at this point of the play page 54 - 55?

How does Priestley succeed in sustaining tension at this point of the play – page 54 - 55

Interestingly, Priestley’s reference to the time related adverb ‘soon’ emphasises Mr. Birling as more concerned with covering up Eric’s wrongdoings to avoid a social scandal than being concerned about his son. Thus, retaining his social superiority and title in the nouveaux riche in comparison, to the working classes of the industrial age. This moment successfully sustains tension as Mr. Birling illustrates his capitalist and social views are of more importance to him rather than his own son’s crime, which is previously, suggested when Birling cannot accept his own moral crimes or responsibilities. Also the furtive verb ‘cover’ depicts Mr. Birling’s fears of confession enticing tension among characters hence alluring the audience.

Furthermore, tension is successfully conveyed by Priestley with the use of pauses making us, the audience anticipate what will happen next. When Eric explains he’s “not the type of father a chap would go to when he’s in trouble – that’s why” to Mr Birling, he finds it hard to come to terms with the consequences of his actions acquainting to the audience the tense relationship shared between Eric and his father, indicating different capitalist and socialist views among the Birling parents and children who comprehend the didactic message. Also, it reveals the lack of love in the family, demonstrating the Birling’s as not only being hard hearted but inadequate parents too. This is made further evident when Mrs. Birling contradicts her social power in the philanthropic organisation and her refusal to accept her son’s acts and consequences suggesting lack of remorse and social conscience. Moreover, Priestley sustains tension with the use of colloquial language consolidating differences amidst generations.

Additionally, it is suggested that the account of stichomythia auspiciously sustains tension at this point in the play making conversations short and direct. “No. she told me nothing. I never spoke to her” Here, the inspector indicates that he has no interest in wasting time and has a duty to be fulfilled portraying his grip and power over the Birling Family. Similarly to short sentences, bold statements speed up the tempo of the play increasing the building tension as they are straight to the point, giving the effect of simplicity and brevity, emphasising disclosure of information or evidence.

Moreover, ...

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Moreover, towards the end of the point in the play many characters interrupt each other. “(Eric to Mrs. Birling) tell me – what happened? (Inspec) I’ll tell you” the inspector feels that Eric is wasting his time as he anticipates the responsibility of moral crimes to be accepted. Another moment in the play is evoked when Gerald is wasting Sheila’s time and that what he said was not needed. The use of interruption builds up the pace of the play, possibly to the climax encouraging a sustainable tense moment during the play successfully created by Priestley.

Stage directions have been used very carefully by Priestley to ensure tension among this point in the play many times throughout Eric’s confessions to show the character’s emotions. “Yes that was worst of all” this demonstrates his guilty conscience and genuine fear about his actions. Eric is clearly upset because he has realised what his actions have resulted in. He “(Miserably)” tells the Inspector how he had felt and this shows that he showed remorse and had accepted his moral crimes. Just as previously with Sheila.

Also, Priestley sustains tension with the use of climax, emphasising that our actions have consequences. “Each of you helped to kill her” Outpouring the didactic message of the play, how the morally neglectful actions of the upper class family have condemned a working class girl to her death, showing nobody is innocent and have collective responsibilities leading up through the chain of events. The personal pronoun ‘you’ individualises the different moral crimes committed, building tension and highlighting moral responsibility. Furthermore, the harsh verb ‘kill’ portrays the seriousness of the situation, sustaining tension. This is evident further on in the play when the family and Gerald receive the phone call from the Infirmary.

In Conclusion, all of these devices successfully help to sustain a tense moment in the play and causes the audience to wonder whether Mrs. Birling will ignore the Inspectors didactic message and how she will or will not accept her moral crimes.

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