Priestley creates a theme, through Birling’s speeches, of Birling being the content and untroubled capitalist. When Sheila and Mrs. Birling leave, Birling starts to instruct the two younger men of the family on the importance of looking after themselves and others in the family, no matter how inconsiderate to others this behaviour may be.
This is evident in his remarks to Gerald and also reveals the play’s essential theme: “a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.” The Inspector Goole then enters and Birling tries to intimidate him saying what an important member of the community he is. This shows Birling representing the capitalist community to be obstinate, arrogant and ignorant. Birling then gets annoyed with the inspector’s attitude and demeanour. This is shown when Birling replying with surprise to the Inspectors question referring to the reason he declined Eva Smith of a raise with saying, “Did you say ‘Why’?” Insinuating that he, Birling, was superior to the Inspectors interrogation. Mr. Birling’s connection with Eva was one of business. Birling was the girl’s professional superior. Although this is true, Priestley shows this makes no difference. We are still responsible, and if the relationship is professional or personal, the outcome is what matters. The inspector tries to make Birling feel guilty and take responsibility of his actions by stating that “She was out of work for the next two months. Both parents were dead, so she’d no home to go back to.” Again, this use of dramatic devices through language, ideas and themes expresses Priestley’s concerns about taking responsibility for our actions and being aware of the consequences. Involving the audience, inviting them to contemplate about whether they act in a similar way to Birling and how it affects other people, leading them to change.
Priestley uses numerous devices to create an effective scene for the audience. The stage directions signify quite accurately that the lighting should change from “pink and soft” to “brighter and harder” on the entrance on the Inspector. This could imply that the morality of the Birling’s has vanished and their truth will be uncovered. It could also demonstrate the power of interrogation and its potential effect on the family. The ‘pink and soft’ lighting also implies the mask of false relationships that cover the family, that is always there waiting to be taking away. The fact that the lighting changes show what a massive impact the entrance of the inspector has, regardless of not needing to be a physically big man, “he creates at once an impression of massiveness”. Priestley uses these devices to convey his concerns that whatever masks society may hold up to cover their reality will always be stripped away to reveal the truth. These devices interest the audience, causing them to be curious as to what truth will be revealed in this scenario, and also involve the audience leading them to reflect on anything it is that they may cover and how they can change.
The doorbell is used as a sound effect. This is dramatically effective because the piercing, sharp sound of the doorbell instantly focuses the effects of the Birling’s shell of intimacy is being split. Priestley uses the Inspector as the mouthpiece through which he expresses his concerns and opinions. Priestley states that the Inspector automatically ‘creates an impression of massiveness’. By using this stage direction, he is implying that anybody, regardless of size, can have a powerful impact on those superior on the social hierarchy. He immediately takes on a moralistic manner, and maintains breaking down the characters from the very beginning. By doing this, thereafter it is evident that the duration of Birling’s speeches decrease rapidly, therefore it is apparent that the Birling’s feel intimidated and threatened by the Inspectors interrogation. The Inspector is the voice of principle and decency in the play, one of the plays essential themes which is stressed is that there should be no segregation is society as we are all equal. Gerald states that "We're respectable citizens not criminals" to then be quickly replied by the Inspector "Sometimes there isn't much a difference as you think". It is evident that Priestley uses these dramatic devices to voice that the label of "respectable citizens" is not related to ones social status, but ones actions. Criminals are as probable to be of high social status as they are the lower social rank. Priestley involves the audience in making us think about how we relate our actions to our positions in the social status and wants us to accept some quantity of liability for others.
When the inspector enters, Gerald automatically declares to Birling that the Inspectors cause of visit is for the reason that "Eric's been up to something" whilst ‘nodding confidently’. Eric then experiences an 'uneasy' feeling about the situation suggesting that he has something to hide. This builds tension prior to the Inspector entering the room. This is the first indication of tension that Priestley uses in the play to break down the sense of fake security that surrounds the Birling household. This interests the audience in wanting to know what it is the Inspector is going to unveil. He maintains the audiences’ attention by showing the photograph of Eva Smith to separate people at different times, raising queries as to whether these may be different women. The moral point impacts Eric and Sheila mainly, as they are younger and more susceptible to change amidst all that is going on in society. Birling is now portrayed as an ignorant capitalist who will never change. In doing this, Priestley has elevated the Inspector to more than just a mere civil servant, but as a social voice of reason. This involves the audience in making them believe whatever the Inspector says to be true, or implies to be the right thing. Inviting them to include this in their attitudes towards the community.
The name Eva Smith (which is akin to Eve, the first woman on earth according to the book of Genesis), and Smith being a very popular surname in England, is used by Priestley to portray Eva Smith a working class symbol. This dramatic device is used so the audiences of the play can easily relate her character. Priestley’s use of a character so applicable to modern day life such as Eva makes the audience understand how greatly simple things can have an effect on an individual. Priestley is conveying the point that we should all take responsibility for each other. The Inspector then provides Sheila a sufficient period of time to get the truth out of Gerald before the curtain falls after the Inspector has the last word. Gerald and Sheila were in discussion before the Inspector interrupted with the question "Well?” Sheila and Gerald were discussing the situation. The Inspector has seemed to have mastered the art of making the Birling’s condemn themselves. The Inspector then defends Sheila in explaining to Gerald why Sheila desires to hear Gerald proclaim his guilt. Priestley states in Act Two of the play that "If nothing else, we'll have to share our guilt" This is a very significant theme subconsciously made by Priestley in Act One through the Inspectors speeches which he was addressing to the world, this use of dramatic devices through this powerful statement involved the audience into contemplating whether they put this principle into practice.
Sheila begins to appreciate the Inspector in Act One and grows into approving of his power throughout the play. A key theme of the play that is introduced Priestley’s opinion that the older generation is fixed in its attitudes towards society, and should begin to change their ways. It will also rely on the actions and behaviour of the youth together to revolutionise society. Another vital theme of the play that Sheila speaks of, towards the end of Act One, when Sheila says to Gerald in reply to him stating that he wants to keep his relationship with Eva Smith/Daisy Renton to himself "Why - you fool - he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don't know yet. You'll see." Priestley is voicing through Sheila how we all deny our weaknesses to ourselves and each other, like the Birling’s, we feel a false sense of superiority, an attitude that needs to be excluded from today’s society. This is the Act when the Inspector begins to strip away their cloak of respectability, which is observed by the younger generation of Birling’s but the elder Birling’s are oblivious to the device. Priestley involves the audience through these dramatic devices in making them feel like it is not just the Birling’s that are on trial. The whole society is.
In closing, I feel that the range of messages and themes that Priestley implicated throughout the play are still extremely relevant to today’s society and can constantly be used to improve us as citizens. Priestley used a choice of dramatic devices to convey his concerns about equality and how it should be viewed upon by the public. I feel that my opinion of Capitalism changed during the play and I was also interested and involved by the many scenarios Priestley placed the Birling’s in. Priestley’s use of interrogation through the Inspector made me think about society in a whole different light. Consequently, Priestley’s intentions have been accomplished, to me at least.
