Which character or characters changes the most in 'An Inspector Calls'

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Which character or characters changes the most in ‘An Inspector Calls’?

In the essay I will try to answer the question of, ‘Which character changes the most in An Inspector Calls?’ I will do this by; explaining the role played by the character in the play; showing how and why I think they change; focusing on the effect on the audience by the stage directions and settings; showing what messages Priestly manages to get across to the audience in 1946 through his play. To do that I will comment on:

  • The importance of social responsibility – especially of those in superior social position.
  • The effects of the characters actions over time.
  • The conditions of the workers and the unemployed
  • The social class system at the time when the play is set, (rich and poor). And also the men and women’s roles in life, the importance of equality and socialism.

I think that Sheila is the one that changes the most in the course of the play. I think this because she turns from being the stereotypical early 19th century child who abides by her parents rules and does as her parents say, to become more independent. The show her newfound independence, she begins telling her parents what she thinks about them and freely gives her opinions and feelings about the events in the play.

        The writer of the play Priestly comes from a working class family. He was brought up in Bradford. During the first word war he joined the ‘Duke of Wellington’s regiment’ and served on the front line in France. He got buried alive when a trench collapsed, and later was gassed. He was then sent home invalided. He was given an ex-serviceman’s grant and studied Modern History and Political Science. Later on in his life he wrote articles to feature in ‘The Times Literary Supplement’, which ultimately earned him a good reputation. He began writing plays in the 30s and 40s. He wrote, or co-wrote 40 different plays in total. Most of them gave hints about his heavily socialist views. He travelled through some of the poorer parts of Britain, which helped him to refine his political ideas.

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        You are given hints in ‘An Inspector Calls’ about Priestly’s socialist views. He uses Inspector Goole as his median. He makes moralising comments such as, “A pretty, lively sort of girl, who never did anyone any harm. But she died in misery and agony – hating life”. His last speech is also very moralising, “But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone, but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with out lives, and ...

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