How Does J.B Priestley Reveal The Hypocrisy of The Edwardian Era In "An Inspector Calls" ?

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How Does J.B Priestley Reveal The Hypocrisy of The Edwardian Era In "An Inspector Calls" ?

An Inspector Calls is a controversial play set in the subtle society of 1912. Written in 1945, the play script critically analyses the hypocrisy of a symbolist group of characters living in the Edwardian era (1901 - 1914).

During this period many revolutionary changes happened ; there were dramatic rises in business and many factories grew larger and richer. Other important changes include design and warfare. Throughout the Edwardian period and 1912 in particular, design in transport improved tremendously. The famous Titanic sank upon it's launching maiden voyage - travelling on the way to New York, and many industrial towns, for example the setting for An Inspector Calls Brumley, were becoming more significant and were again improved dramatically.

Hypocrisy is the term given when there are false claims to have admirable principles, beliefs or feelings. A person is named to be hypocritical or a hypocrite if they show the pretence of possessing these definitions ; pretending to be something they're not. Throughout the play J.B. Priestley reveals the hypocrisy of the Edwardian era using various techniques. Several ways in which the didactic play unravels include using one interrogative character to draw the story and Priestley's message out to the audience. To do this Priestley invents the inspector.

This is the main dramatic device used by Priestley, and the inspector is most importantly not only a crucial character to the story but a device used to structure the play and to reveal the whole family one by one.

" And I tell you that the time will soon come that if men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in fire, and blood and anguish."
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He also uses small dramatic devices to highlight specific symbolist actions, characters and meanings at staged times throughout the play e.g. tension building phone calls.

"That was the police. A girl has just died - on her way to the Infirmary - after swallowing some disinfectant. And a police inspector is on his way here - to ask some - questions - "

Firstly, Priestly establishes the Birling family to give the audience an understanding of the way of life during 1912 and to allow them to make relevant connections to those involved in the ...

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