What is the dramatic impact of the opening of the play An Inspector Calls?

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                                                               English Literature Coursework

What is the dramatic impact of the opening of the play ‘An Inspector Calls’?

        J B Priestley, a ground breaking and controversial writer of the time released the short play ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1945, however it is set in 1912. The play concentrates on social issues of the time including the First World War and social and gender divisions. It follows an upper class family who are under interrogation by a rather odd inspector who, after some time, manages to link each member of the family with the death of a young woman. The time that the play is set is only two years before the First World War and the issues that are discussed within the play bring up quite controversial views. In 1945 these issues of social and gender differences, and also the arrogance of the nation and other parts of the world were mainly resolved. Both world wars had finished and as the impact had shaken the entire world many people were much more realistic about the chances of war and fighting in the world. This also brought about a more equal nation meaning less distinction between upper and lower classes and women were also more valued. As Priestley was also a very strong believer in a ‘better society’ he helped set up the Common Wealth party who argued for these changes. The party then merged with the Labour party, which as a result swayed many people to put Labour in charge of the government and develop the idea of a Welfare State. These themes and issues are a prominent part of the of the play, and the inspector especially is one who pushes these ideas, almost as if he is the voice of Priestley.

        Priestley describes the setting of the dining room at the beginning of Act One, saying it is “substantial and heavily comfortable” referring to the house being ‘enough’ for the Birlings’ standards. The phrase heavily comfortable seems to create a forced comfortable feeling, much like the mood between the characters, as we see forced happiness in Sheila and Gerald’s engagement and in Eric’s nervousness. Priestley then goes on to describe how the set could be placed for different directing needs. He says the best way is to have the dining table downstage in the centre, which can be swung back to reveal the fireplace later on in Act Two, and then for Act Three a small table with a telephone on it will take this place. Although some props change the play stays in the dining room, and is in real time, meaning that when Eric and Gerald leave what they have achieved while they are out of the scene was possible. By setting the play in real time the audience are drawn deep into the play as each event unfolds before their eyes and gives them a sense of involvement. As for the props, the central point of each setting is always meaningful. The large dining table in Act One, the opening, which is used to signify family relations, but as the play continues the Birling’s don’t seem to have many family traits: truth, honesty, etc. This further shows how the characters in the play are not always how they appear, and that their social status is merely a mask of their true selves. Although it is not introduced until Act Three, the telephone on a lone table in the centre of the stage draws the audience’s attention to it, and makes them expectant of the phone call; it is just a matter of time.

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        Lighting is another major part of the setting, as in many plays light can represent dozens of things, it is often seen as heavenly and right, but cast in the right way across a person or object it can create menacing shadows which indicate dark characters. Different coloured lighting can also indicate different themes and moods; in this play the lighting is “pink and intimate” before the inspector enters, showing the close family bond. But once the inspector enters the Birling residence, the lighting is “brighter and harder”; this shows how the Inspector will cast some light across certain ...

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