the inspector calls essay

AnInspectorCalls

'AnInspectorCalls'isaplaywrittenbyJBPriestleyin1945andsetin1912Priestleydemonstrates hisconcernwithmoralresponsibilityandhisbeliefsinSocialistvaluesthroughthecharacterofthe Inspector,whomheusesasamouthpiecethroughouttheplay.Hevoiceshisopinionsonthese issuesusingthistechnique,andtheyareshownbythewaytheInspectordealswiththeBirling familyandareexemplifiedbytheobstaclestosocialharmonyinwhichtheInspectorhastoface beforecomingtoasuitableandjustifiableconclusion

Theplaywaswrittenin1945–withinaweekofWorldWarTwoending–butsetin1912,when BritainstillhaditsEmpireandwasdoingverywellfinanciallyThetimeshowmorecontent Priestleyhopedthatinwriting'AnInspectorCalls',peoplecouldlookbackoneventswithhindsight andlearnfromthemistakesthatsocietyhadmade.Heprimarilywrotetheplayforamiddleclass audienceabouttheworkingclass,andhowtheBirlingsandGerald

Croftwereallinvolvedinmakingayoungworkingclasswoman'slifeamisery,andconsequently drivinghertosuicide

TheBirlingsareatypicalupperclassfamily–theylookdownonthosewhoaresocially'beneath' them,suchastheInspector,yetlookuptothose'above'.Mr.Birlingputsthisspecificideainto practicefrequently.Althougharrogant,heknowsthatheislowerdownthesocialscalethanhis wife,aswellasGerald'sfamilyHowever,heisawareofthedifferenceinsocialclass,andaccepts them–"Don'tblameher.[LadyCroft]comesfromanoldcountryfamily–landedpeopleandso forth–soit'sonlynatural."

Atthebeginningoftheplay,theBirlingsarecelebratingtheirdaughter'sengagementtoGerald Croft–thesonofArthur'sbusinesscompetitor.Immediatelytheimpressionisgiventhatloveisn't justtheonlyforcebringingSheilaandGeraldtogether;infact,itseemsthatMr.Birlingismore interestedinanewbusinessproposalthanhisdaughter'shappiness:"You'rejustthekindofson–in–lawIalwayswantedYourfatherandIhavebeenfriendly

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InthisplaywecannotoriouslyseethatGeraldisaselfishperson,whowantstomarrySheilanot onlybecauseofbusiness,alsobecausesheispretty.Hedoesnotcareaboutotherpeople;aclear exampleisthathecheatedonSheilawithEvaSmith.Geraldisnotcommittedtohisrelationship, thisisshownwhenheunsuccessfullytriestohidethathehadknownEva.Intheend,hisefforts maketherevelationruderHedoesnotcareaboutSheila'sfeelingsandhehasnotgainedanew senseofsocialresponsibility,understandingthathe,too,waspartoftheeventsthatledEva's suicide.ThisiswhySheilaisunsurewhethertotakebacktheengagementringornot.Croft'sfamily hasaveryhighstatusinsociety,andsincebeinginbusinesswiththeBirlingswouldnotnecessarily begoodfortheircompany,GeraldisengagedtoSheilabecausehewantsto.Hisparentsarenot happyastheythinksheisnotgoodenoughforGeraldandbecauseshowmorecontent Wecanjustifythisnotonlybecauseofwhathesays,butalsobecauseofhisactions.Heistheonly characterintheplay,notcountingtheInspector,thattriedtohelpEvaSmithorDaisyRentonand wecanseethiswhenhesays'Ididnotaskforanythinginreturn'EvenThoughGeraldgaveher shelter,foodandtookheroutfromthePalace,aftersomemonthsheabandonedherandtheirlove relationbroke'Daisyknewitwascomingtoanend.SoIbrokeitoffdefinitelybeforeIwent'.But ontheotherhandhedoesnotcareaboutSheila,whoishisfianceeandwhohecheatedonherwith EvaSmithandallhehadforherwas'atleastit'shonest'.ThisshowsusthatGeralddidnotcare abouthowSheilawouldfeelabouthimcheatingonherandhowitwouldaffectherHedidnoteven feelguiltyortoldherabouthisaffairuntiltheinspector'sarrival.However,whenInspectorGoole arrived,hewantedtojustifyhimselfandhisactedbysayingthatdespitehisaffairhewasbeing honestwith

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Aninspectorcalls.IamgoingtowriteabouthowJ.B.Priestleybuildsuptensionandsuspense within'AnInspectorcalls'.Theplaywaswrittenin1945duetothedivideatthattimebetween CapitalistsandSocialists.GiventhefactthatJ.B.Priestleywasasocialist(feltthateveryoneshould haveequalamountsofmoney),hewascriticizingthewaysofcapitalists(theyfeltthatyougotwhat youearned)Theplayissetin1912,atimejustbeforealotofdramaticincidentshappened,eg WorldWar1,TheTitanicsinking.AlloftheplaytakesplaceintheBirling'sdiningroom,theyare celebrating.Eachofthecharactersinthisplay(exceptinspectorGooleandEdna),arepartly responsiblefortheshowmorecontent

Sheilaisstatedtobe'aprettygirlinherearlytwenties'.Wewouldcertainlynotcallsomeonein theirtwentiesa'girl',thewordisusedbecauseSheilahasnotgrownupmentally.Geraldis'an attractivechap',meaningthathe'sjustalittlebig–headed,butgenerallywell–mannered.Ericissaid tobe'notquiteatease'.IdonotthinkthatEricreallyfitsintotheBirlingfamily,heisquite differentThetensionbetweenArthurBirlingandtheaudiencebeginswhenBirlingspeaksoflabour troubleandstatingthat'we'vepassedtheworstofit'whenthefirstWorldWarwasjustabouttostart orhadalreadystarted.Whatwemustrememberisthatpeoplewhoarewatchingthisplayarestill veryangryandupsetaboutthesecondWorldWar.So,MrBirlingstrikesthemasatotalidiotand theaudiencedislikehim.Acertainamountoftensionamountsbetweenvariousfamilymembers alsoTheoccasionsonwhichthesethingshappenare:·SheilaandGerald–GeraldtoldSheilathat hehadbeenworkingtheprevioussummerwhenhehardlywentnearher.Shehadsuspicionsthat Geraldwasbeinguntruetoher.Shewasassured,however,thatitwasallinherhead.Shefindsout thatGeraldwasbeinguntruewhenhewasbeinginterrogatedSheilaandEric–Sheilahasalways saidthatEricdrinkstoomuchbuthehasrefusedtobelieveit.Inastrangetwist,SheilaandEric stand

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Inhisplay,AnInspectorCalls,JBPriestleyexploresnumerousideasofresponsibility.Priestley utilizesthesettingoftheplay(1912)whensocio–economicdisparitybetweentheupperand workingclasswashigh,andjuxtaposesitwiththesocialcontextofwhentheplaywasperformed (1945),whenaspectsofsocialismweregrowingrapidlyinBritain.Thiscreatesdramaticironyand reflectstheviewofaudiencesfirstattendingtheplayHeachievesthisbyusingthemysterious natureofInspectorGoole,whopressurestheupper–classBirlingfamilytoadmitresponsibilityfor thedeathofEvaSmith(aworkingclasswoman),toembodysocialistBritain;exploitingtheaffluent andpompousMrBirlingtorepresenttheunwillingnessofCapitalismshowmorecontent WhenMrBirlingwasaccusedoffiringEva,hepersistentlydefendedhisactions–citingthewages ofthelabourforceandhow"theywantedtheratesraised...Irefused,ofcourse".AsBirlingblankly deniesariseinproductioncosts,itcanbeinterpretedthathetakesabusiness–minded,practical approachtowardshisworkersandconsidersEvaSmithasamerepieceoflabour.Thephrase'of course'attheendofhisstatementisimportantbecauseitsignifiesfinality–thatBirlingdismisses theideaofawageriseasridiculous.Hisviewatthestartoftheplayisfurtheredwhenhestates:'if wewereallresponsibleforeverythingthathappenedtoeverybodywe'dhadanythingtodowith,it wouldbeveryawkward,wouldn'tit?'Thephrase'wouldn'tit'highlightsBirling'ssarcasmtowards theconceptofinterlinkedresponsibility–thereforeindicatingthathefirmlydecidestoholdno accountabilityforanyactions,andviewssocialresponsibilityasnonsenseHejustifiesthisprinciple withtheadjective'awkward'suggestingthatBirlingignoreshissocialresponsibilitybecausehe wouldfinditembarrassinganduncomfortabletohelptheworkingclass.Thisrelatestotheattitudes oftheupper–classduringthesettingoftheplayin1912–whofound

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TheRoleoftheInspectorin'AnInspectorCalls'

AnInspectorCallsisaplaywithmanysocialandpoliticalmessagesJBPriestleybelievedagreat dealinsocialismandheusedseveralofhisplaystotryandinfluencepeopletobeSocialistaswell. ItwaswritteninatimewhenBritainwasruledbyaLabourgovernmentandsocialistpolicieswere seenasthewayforwardItwasapopularwayofthinkingatthattimesoPriestley'saimfortheplay wasprobablytoteachtheunconvinced.

TheInspectorinJ.B.Priestley's'AnInspectorCalls'isoneofthemostthought–provokingand mysteriouscharactersthatmoderndayliteraturehasyetproduced.Itisthismysteriouselementthat contributesgreatlytomakinghimaveryshowmorecontent

Thefamilyusetheirhouseasastatussymbolandhavedecorateditinawaysoastoreflecttheir wealth.Welearnthisfromthe'fewimposingbuttastelesspictures'whichwillprobablyhavebeen chosenbecausetheywereexpensive,notbecausetheywerelikedThesepicturesalsotellusthatthe Birlingsareproudoftheirwealthandthinkthemselvestobeveryimportantbutlackthegoodtaste whichispresentinthosewhoaresociallysuperiortothemThehouseisdescribedasbeing 'substantialandcomfortableandold–fashioned,butnotcosyandhomelike.'Thissettingsuggests thatthefamilyareuncomfortablewitheachotherandthereforesuggestsproblems.Theyspeakto eachotherinafairlyrelaxedmanner,despitetheattemptsfromMrsBirlingtoenforceamore formalatmospherebycorrectingherfamilywhenevertheymakeminorerrorsintablemanners.The champagneshowsthatfamilyarejoinedtocelebrate.Geraldisaguestatthehouseandsothe familyareallwell–behavedandpleasanttooneanotherbutthereareseveralhintsthatthisisfor showandthereareproblemswhicharebeingignored.Mrs.BirlingtreatsEricandSheilaasifthey aretwosmallchildreneventhoughSheilaisengagedtoGeraldandsoisayoungwomanThisis shownwhenSheilareferstoEricas'squiffy'andMrs.Birlingscoldsherbysaying'Whatand expression,

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DramaticTechniquesInAnInspectorCalls

InspectorcallsisaplaywrittenbytheauthorJ.Bpriestly.Setin1912,butperformedin1945,after 2worldwars,thisplayevolvesaroundthesuicideofapregnantworking–classgirlwhosenameis Evasmith.AninspectorbythenameofGoole,questionstheinvolvementofafamilybusinesswith thenameBirling.Coanditsupper–classowners.Priestly,beingasocialist,writesthisplayto preventasocialdividebetweenclassesIbelieveEvaSmithisthemostimportantcharacterinAIC eventhoughsheneverappearsduringtheplay.Priestlyusesherasametaphorforsocialism, catalystforresponsibilityandhighlightsthecorruptionofmen.

Responsibility:

InanInspectorCalls,thecentralthemeisresponsibility.Priestly,showmorecontent

"AfriendofminewentoverthisnewlinerlastweektheTitanic,shesailsnextweekfortysix thousandeighthundredtons,fortysixthousandeighthundredtonesNewYorkinfivedaysand everyluxuryandunsinkableabsolutelyunsinkable."Justasthetitanicwasdestinetosink,sotoo wasMrBirlingspoliticalthinking,undertheinspectorsinterrogation.Thisalsosuggests,ifMr BirlingiswrongabouttheTitanic,andworldwarone,whatelseishewrongabout?Theinspector, Ghoolehimselfisadramaticdevice,hisnameGhoolemeansGhost,whichreallygetsyouthinking ifhereallyisaninspectorEspeciallywhenMrBirlingphonedup,andasksabouttheinspectorand theyfindoutthatthereisn'tanyonewiththatname.In1912theyweremanystrongdistinctions betweenupperclassandlowerclass,howeverin1945classdistinctionswherenon–existent,I believepriestlywastryingtopreventthisfromhappeningagainPriestlyusesEvasmithasatool, Hernamealone,Smith–wasaverycommonname,Evasupposedlybeingthefirstwomen.Priestly wantedtoconveytotheaudiencethatshewasaworking–classwoman,shestandsforallwemeetin oureverydaylives,Priestlyuseshertragedytoportrayhisviewsand

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TheInspectorCalls

TheInspectorCalls.MichaelJohnsonExplainhowfarPriestleyusesthefeaturesofa'WellMade Play'tocreateadditionaltenseandsuspensioninan'InspectorCalls'.InspectorCallswaswrittenin 1945byJohnBoyntonPriestley,renownedauthor.Hesubtlyportrayedhissocialistpoliticaloutlook inhisplay,throughthemannerofthecharacters,andthegoingsonatthetime.InspectorCallswas writtenduringWorldWar2sothedampenedattitudefeltbypeopleatthetime,mighthavereflected inPriestleychoicetowriteaplayaboutsuicide.Theplayusesfeaturesofa'WellMadePlay'to generateafeelingoftensionandsuspensionwithintheaudience.Itdoesthisverywellbyusing suchfeaturesas;Exposition,showmorecontent

ThetermforthisisClimaticCurtain,afeaturePriestleyusestogreatextentinhisplayInspector Calls.HavingaClimaticCurtainisanimperativefeatureofaplay,itleavestheaudienceon tenterhooksintheintervalspeculatingastowhatthenextpartoftheplayhastooffer.Attheendof Act1theinspectorrevealsthatGeraldknewDaisyRenton.Ascandalouspieceofinformation whichsproutsoffmanyfurtherquestions,thattheaudiencelongtoknowThisleavesthemwanting more,thesuspensegripsthemandengulfsthemastheeagerlyawaittheanswerstothemany curiousquestionsthattheyposses.Oneofthefeaturesofa'WellMadePlay'iswheretheaudience andthecastmistaketheidentityofoneofthecharacterswithintheplay.Theonlyplausible mistakenidentityintheInspectorCallsplayisthetrueidentityoftheInspector.Upuntilthevery endoftheplaytheidentityontheInspectorisneverunderscrutinyitisonlyafterwetheBirling householdreceiveaphonecallfromthepoliceofficethatinstructsthemthattheywillbevisitedby anInspector.Thisthentriggersthemintoarapidbacktrackingsessionandtheycometothe conclusiontheInspectorthathadvisitedthem,wasnotinfactanInspectorThishelpsaddtenseand suspensiontotheplaybyfurtherconfusingthe

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RoleoftheInspectorinAnInspectorCallsbyJ.B.Priestley

Theinspectorisanenigmaticcharacter;playingoneofthebiggestpartsinthedrama

Heisdescribedonhisentranceascreating"animpressionofmassiveness,solidityand purposefulnessHeisamaninhisfifties,dressedinaplaindarkishsuitHespeakscarefully, weightily,andhasadisconcertinghabitoflookinghardatthepersonheaddressesbeforeactually speaking.".

Heworksverysystematically;helikestodealwith"OnePersonandonelineofenquiryatatime." Hismethodistoconfrontasuspectwithapieceofinformationandthenmakethemtalk–or,as Sheilaputsit,"He'sgivingustherope–so...showmorecontent...

Heleavesthefamilywiththemessage"Weareresponsibleforeachother"andwarnsthemofthe "fireandbloodandanguish"thatwillresultiftheydonotpayattentiontowhathehastaughtthem

AllthismysterysuggeststhattheInspectorisnota'real'personIthinkthisiswherethepunonthe name'Google'comesin.Inmyopinion,Priestlyhasusedtheinspectorsnameinreferencetothe word'ghoul',suggestingthattheinspectorisanenigmatic,supernaturalforceofsomekind.Ialso believethattheinspectorcouldrepresentsomethingelse;likeanentitysuchasGod,theworld's conscienceorevenPriestley'sideasandopinionsonhis1912society.

TheInspectorhimselfaddsdramatotheplay,hecontrolsthepaceandtensionbydealingwithone lineofenquiryatatime.SlowlythestoryofEva'slifeisunravelled,likeina'whodunit'.Heisin commandattheendofActIandthestartofAct2,andtheendofAct2andthestartofAct3 Altogetherheisabrooding,inescapablepresence,verymuchincontrol.Heisverymysteriousand seemstoknowwhatisgoingtohappenbeforeitdoes.Becauseofthis,hestandsasthemost powerful,importantpersonintheroom,capabletomanipulatingtheotherpeopletomakethemsay anddowhathewants.

Therearehiddenfeaturesintheplaythatexposecertaindramaticfeatures,

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Whatisthedramaticroleandfunctionoftheinspector?

Inhisplay'Aninspectorcalls',J.BPriestleyusestheinspectortoputacrosshiscriticalviewsof society,theseareinequalitybetweenclasses,gendersandwealth.Priestleyalsopresentsthe inspectorinagodlymannerTheinspectorispresentedmysteriouslyandhehasmanyroleand functionsliketomaketheaudiencequestiontheirownactions,toshowtheaudiencewhatPriestley thinksofsocietyandtoteachusaboutinequalitybetweenclassesandgenders.

AtthestartofActonetheplaywrightmakestheroleoftheinspectortodrivethenarrativeandtells thestoryofwhathappened.Heusestheinspectorengagetheaudienceasherevealsthestoryandhe hasadominantstagepresence.Thisisshowninwhentheinspectorenters"hecreatesanimpression ofmassiveness."Thisportraysthattheinspectorisusedtodrawtheaudiencesattentiontohim becausetheaudiencequestionwhyaimpressionofdominancehasbeencreatedTheuseof massivenessshowsthatPriestleyusesthecharacteroftheinspectortotellthestoryoftheplay,to engagetheaudienceandtoshowthattheinspectoristheprotagonist.

Theplaywrightalsousestheroleoftheinspectortoengagestheaudienceiswithpausesandstage directionsHeactsasheismoreimportantthanthebirlingandhisfamilyThisisshownintheuse offstagedirection"cuttinginwithauthority."Thisshowsthatitwillengagetheaudience ...Getmorecontent...

AnInspectorcalls–TheRoleOftheInspector.ThecharacterofInspectorGooleisthecatalystfor theevening'seventsandisquiteamysteryandfascinationtomanypeople.Heisdescribedand comesacrossasabletocreate'animpressionofmassiveness,solidityandpurposefulness…'He speakscarefully,weightilyandhasadisconcertinghabitoflookinghardatthepersonheaddresses.

Iwillbecarefullylookingathowhemanagestobesopowerfulandauthoritative,mainly concentratingonthespecificlanguageanduseofrhetoricalspeakingthatheusesthroughoutthe play.Iwillalsomentionthemysteryofwhethertheinspectorwasanimpostorandlookatthebroad possibilities,ofwhichhemaybe,Oneoftheshowmorecontent

You'llsee'(pg26)ThisclearlyshowsthatdespitetheBirlingsbeingawarethattheInspectoralready knowseverythingthereistoknow,theystillpourouttheinformationpreciselybecauseoftheeffect hehasonthem.Henotonlyasksthemtotellhimwhattheydidbutalsoguilttripsthembyasking themwhetherornotthatishowtheywouldwanttobetreated.Bydoingthis,theInspectoris attemptingtobroadenthefamily'sperspectiveontheirownactions,givingthemachancetorealise theirownfaults.TheshowingofEvaSmithsphotographisausefultechniqueoftheinspector, whichheusestotriggerthecharacter'smemoriesoftheirinvolvementwithEvaandmakethem relivetheirexperiences.Howeverhismethodsofshowingaphotoarerathersuspected.Heonlylets onepersonseethephotoatatimeandeverytimereplacesitinhispocket.Howdoweknowitis justonephoto,whenitcouldbeseveralphotosofdifferentpeoplethefamilyhasbeeninvolvedin andthencouldbenoconnectionwhatsoever?J.BPriestlyhasusedthephotosasaclevertoolto heightenthemysteryandtokeeptheaudiencewonderingandsointurnmakingtheplaymuchmore dramaticTheInspectoralsomanagestoinducedramaticironyduringthelastsubplotwithinin whichhepromptsMrsBirlingtocondemnthefatherofEva'schild,whichironicallyisEric.Using hismethodoftalkingcalmlybutdisturbingly,makingthequestionedpersonfeel

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Intheplay,AnInspectorCalls,thecharacterofEricispresentedinamyriadofways.Whenthe audienceisfirstintroducedtoEric,heisproventobejuvenileandignorant–shownbyhis nonchalancetowardshissister'smarriageandBirling'sadvice.Astheplaydevelopshowever,it becomeclearthatthismostlikelywasinheritedfromhisparents,whodon'tevenacknowledgethe existenceoftheworkingclassasbeinghumanbeingsInBirling'sfactory,theworkingclassarede–humanisedastheyenterandbecomelifelessdroids–whohavenoneedfortheluxuriesofmoney noraroofovertheirheads,nottomentionsanitaryconditions–whoselivesaresimplypartsina factorywhichcanbereplacedeffortlesslyFurthermore,Mrsshowmorecontent WhenEricdescribeshimselfasbeingabitsquiffy,whathemeanstosayisthathewasdrunkand hadnocontroloverhisactions.Inthesituation,hehadbecomeinfatuatedbyagirlfromtheworking class;combinethiswithhisimmutablestateofintoxicationandheultimatelycausedthedeathof EvaSmith.Hedidnotmerely"turnnasty"asput,butrefusestoleaveuntilhisentryisgranted.The completedisregarddirectedtowardstheworkersinthepre–warsociety(manifestedinthecharacter ofEric),arguablystemsfromthechildhoodthatwasspentwithintheupper–classbubble.The absolutewillingnessoftheseupperclassestomaintaintheirutterlydestructivepracticesonthe workers,whopracticallyprovidetheplatformforthemtostandonisshownbyPriestley's representationoftheBirlingsandCroftsasbeingroboticanddirectlyboundoncreatingalegacy thatisinfrangibleduetotheiregotisticalandautocraticnatureMrsBirlingenunciatestoEricwhen outliningwhysherefusedhelptoEvainhercommittee:"ButIdidn'tknowitwasyou–Inever dreamt.Besides,you'renotthetype–youdon'tgetdrunk."Thisshowstheconsiderableignorance oftheobliviousupperclasses,whomresidewithintheirspheresofinfluenceandthusbeginto believewhatevertheydesire.ThisisdemonstratedagainwhenMrsBirlingexclaims:"(shocked) Eric!Youstolemoney!"Theironyinthisisimmense.Erichadjustadmittedtohaving ...Getmorecontent...

CriticalevaluationofAnInspectorCalls

AnInspectorCalls

'AnInspectorCalls'isaplaysetinthemystery/detectivethrillergenreItissetin1912howeverit waswrittenbyJ.BPriestlyin 1945andstagedinMoscow.Ashelivedthroughbothwarshecouldseewhathadactually happenedinthetimetheplaywassetJBPriestlyusesthecharacterstoexpresshisviewsonthe issueofsocialresponsibility,moralityandaboutclassdivisionswithmanythemesincludinggreed, regret,guiltandblame.

'AnInspectorCalls'isabouttheBirlingfamilywhoarequitewealthy.Theyarecelebratingtheir daughtersengagementwithherfiancé,GeraldAnInspectorarrivesandbreaksuptheparty, questioningthefamilyon...showmorecontent...

Intheintroduction,theplayissaidtobesetinalargesuburbanhousewhichhasgoodsolid furniture.Itiscomfortablebutnotcosyorhomelike.Itisaneveningandtheyareseatedinthe diningroomroundatablenearafire.Thissettingcreatesaveryeeriemoodastheyareinalarge emptyhouseThefactthatitisaneveningproducesastrongerimpactonthemystery,(suspenseas theeventsunfold).ThereisachangeinSheila'sbehaviorjustaftertheinspectorarrives.For example,whenSheilaenterstheroomoverhearingbitsofconversationbetweentheInspectorand MrBirling,sheistoldto'runalong'Howeverisveryanxioustoknowwhat'shappeningandtobe involved.SheisnotsocarefreeoncetoldofEva'ssuicideassheexclaimsinshock'oh–how horrible'.Sheilaisquitedistressedasshelatersays'...Ican'thelpthinkingaboutthisgirl–destroying herselfsohorribly...Iwishyouhadn'ttoldme'.Thisshowsthat

Sheilawassocarefreeandnaïve,thatthisrevelationofasuicidehasaffectedheratsuchanearly stage

Atthisstagethemaintensionsoftheplayarefindingoutwhatexactlyhappenedandwhowas involved

SheilathenfindsoutthatherfathersackedEvaSmithforleadingastrikeinfavorofapayriseShe reactsinanunsuremannerasking

'Didyou,Dad?'ThisshowsthatSheilathoughtherfather'sactionweren'tatalljustified.

Priestlycreatestensionand ...Getmorecontent...

TheEndingofJ.B.Priestley'sAnInspectorCalls'AnInspectorcalls'isa19thcenturyplaywritten byJ.BPreistly.Itissetintheearly1900sandfocusesaroundawell–offfamily.Theyare celebratingtheengagementofMrBirling'sdaughter,Sheila,toGeraldherfiancé,whentheyare interruptedbyanInspectorGoole,whoclaimstobeinvestigatingthesuicideofayounggirlcalled EvaSmith.Everycharacterhastheirparttoplayinthedeathofthegirl.EvaSmithusedtoworkin MrBirling'sFactory,buthefiredheraftershewentonstrikeoverpayAftersheleftthefactory, EvaSmithgotajobatMilwards,alargedepartmentstore,whereSheilapersuadedtheManagerto fire...showmorecontent...

Proofpositive.Thewholesstory'sjustalotofmoonshine.Nothingbutanelaboratesell!""Well here'stous.Comeon,Sheila,don'tlooklikethat.Allovernow."Hehaslearnednothingformthe experience–tohimtheplightofEvaSmithisnothingmorethananinconvenienceoran embarrassmentthathasnowbeenremoved.Tohim,nowthatsheisnolongerathreattothestability ofhisfamilyandhisbusiness,shenolongermatters.Ontheotherhand,SheilaandErichavebeen greatlyaffectedbywhathashappened,theyarenotonlyshockedandworriedabouttheinspector's messagebuttheyalsofeelsympathyandcompassionforEva.Sheilainparticularhascompletely changedherattitude,atthebeginningoftheplayshewasconfident,strongwilledandinterestedin money,asdemonstratedbyherexcitementovertheexpensiveringthatGeraldgivesher.Whenshe findsoutthatsheisinparttoblameforthedeathofEvasheisreallyupsetandattheendoftheplay shehasdefinitelylearnedsomething,anddoesn'tcarethattheinspectorwasnotreal–forherthe messageisstillclear,andshehasrealizedherresponsibilitytohelppeoplelikeEvasmith.Sheis surprisedthatherfatherdoesn'tfeelthesame:"Itellyou–whoeverthatInspectorwas,itwas anythingbutajoke.

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ExplorethewaysPriestleypresentstheInspectorinAnInspectorCalls

'AnInspectorCalls'isaplaywrittenbydramatistJ.BPriestleyin1945.Priestleywasaleft–wing socialistandthiswasoneofthefactorswhichinfluencedhimtowritethisplaytoportrayhis opiniononsocialismEventhoughtheplaywaswrittenin1945,itwasactuallysetin1912,right beforethestartoftheFirstWorldWar.Setinthespringof1912attheBrumleyhomeofthe Birlings,aprosperousindustrialfamilyintheNorthMidlands,theplotinvolvesthefamilygetting involvedinthedeathofawomannamedEvaSmithasaconsequenceoftheirmisdoingsThe Inspector,whoisthemaincharacter,useshisunusualmethodstointerrogateeachmemberof theshowmorecontent

Thephrase"Wedon'tlivealone.Wearemembersofonebody.Weareresponsibleforeachother.", showstheaudiencethatEvaSmith'sdeathwasinevitablebutitwasthewrongdoingsoftheBirlings andGeraldwhichleadtothesituation,thefactthattheydon'tcareaboutanyoneelsebutthemselves putstheminamorevulnerablesituation.IthinkthisisPriestley'smainideathathewantedtobring outinthisplay.Thephrase"AndItellyouthatthetimewillsooncomewhen,ifmenwillnotlearn thatlesson,thentheywillbetaughtinfireandbloodandanguish.Goodnight",refersdirectlytothe WorldWarwhichwassettohappenacoupleofyearsafterthesituation,andPriestlyrefersto WorldWarIasaconsequenceofnot'treatingotherswiththesamerespectyouwouldwanttobe treatedwith'.WorldWaronebeingawarwhichhadover30millioncasualtiesoverthecourseof4 yearsjustgoestoshowthatifwedonotactasacommunity,'lookingafteroneanother',wewill definitelyfacetheconsequences,onewayoranother,soonerorlaterThereisalsoastrong Christianovertonetotheending,makingitseemlikeaphraseoutoftherevelation,powerfully correlatingwithtwoofthesevendeadlysins,'Pride'and'Greed'.WhenArthurBirlingringsupthe chiefconstabletolook

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WhatdoyouthinkistheimportanceofInspectorGooleandhowdoesPriestleypresenthim?

InspectorGoolecreatesamassivepresencewithin'AnInspectorCalls'andthroughhimweareable toexploreeachcharacterandPriestlyhimself.TheInspectorisavitalcharacterwithintheplayand allowsPriestlytochannelthroughhisthoughts,feelingsandmessagestosocietybycreatingthe seeminglyomniscientInspectorGoole.IntheessayIwillillustratetheimportanceoftheInspector anddemonstratehowPriestlypresentshim.

TheInspectoristhevehiclethathelpsusunderstandeachcharacterspersonalityandviews,wesee thiswithSheila–onceanaiveyounggirlwhoseemedquiteshallowtobeginwithbecomesa sympatheticandshowmorecontent

Inaddition,hisname"Goole"infersandhasconnotationsof"ghoul"whichisanevilspirittherefore indicatingthathemightnotbehumanPriestlyusesadramaticdeviceoflightingchange"pinkand intimate"to"brighterandharder"toreallyshowhowtheInspectorisdifferenttotheothersandthis inturnreflectshisharshpersonalityandhowtheatmospherechangessomuchwhenhe'saround relatingtohis"otherworld"presence.

MrsBirlingisacharacterthatisaffectedbytheInspectorinasuperficialway:she'smorebothered aboutwhatotherpeoplewillthinkaboutherbeinginvolvedthanhowsheactuallyhelpedkillapoor woman.WeseethetwocontrastsofhowSheilareactsandhowMrsBirlingreactswhichiseffective asPriestlyisabletodemonstratethattheInspectorislikeaconscienceofthefamily;likeinthereal worldsomepeopleareabletoignoretheirconscienceandnotfeelbadwhereassomepeoplereally feeltheirguiltwhentheyhavedonesomethingwrong.ThisthereforeiswhytheInspectorisso importantintheplay,andinhislastspeechhemakesreferencetotheWorldWar1and2andhow peoplehadstillnotlearnttheirlesson(useddramaticironybutappliesittotheBirling'ssituation) andsetsitstraighttothemthatiftheyhave

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CharactersofAnInspectorCallsTheinspectorarrivesattheBirling'shouseintheevening,duringa familyget–togethertocelebratetheengagementoftheirdaughtertoGeraldCroft.Theinspector questionseverymemberofthefamilyindividually,startingwithMr.Birling.Mr&MrsBirlingwho donotlikethewaytheinspectorisinterrogatingthem,getangrywithhim,andaccusehimofbeing rudeHoweverSheila,Mr&MrsBirling'sdaughter,andGeraldarehonest,andcanfacetheir mistakes.ThisisoneofthereasonswhyIlikeSheilaandGerald,anddislikeMr&MrsBirling. Sheilaisayoungandprettygirl,whoishonestandlikesitwhenotherpeoplearetruthful.Weknow thisbecausewhentheInspectorshowshershowmorecontent

Sheilahasanattractiveandessentiallyhonestcharacter,andlacksthecold–bloodedattitudeofher parents.HerunpleasantcomplaintagainstEvaisprobablythemosthelplessactionofall.Theonly positivefeatureisthatSheilafeltbadaboutitatthetime,regretteditdeeplylater,andishonest enoughtoadmithershareoftheresponsibilityforEva'ssuicide.Whenshefindsoutthatshehada parttoplayinherdeathshebecomessympatheticandsays,ifIcouldhelphernow,Iwould'This showshercondolenceforthegirl.GeraldisthesecondcharacterIlikeintheplay;heisalsoyoung andtruthful.Gerald'sfirstdesireistocoveruphisinvolvementwithEva,whentheInspectorasks himaboutthegirlGeraldsays,'WheredidyougettheideathatIknewher?'hereGeraldtriesto hidehisrelationshipwithEvaSmith,butitsnouseandhehastoadmititintheend.Howeverunlike MrandMrsBirling,heshowsgenuinesorrowwhenthenewsofherdeathfinallysinksinWhen Eva'sdeathhitshimproperlyhebecomesshockedandsays,'I'vesuddenlyrealised–takenitin properly–thatshe'sdead.'Moreover,itbecomesclearthatGeraldhelpedEvaoutoftruesympathy forhersituationanddidnottakeadvantageofherAftertheinspectorhasfinishedquestioninghim, Geraldgoesoutofthehouse.Heisdistressedandsowantstobealoneforawhile.Whileheis strollingonhisownhemeetsupwithapolicemanhe

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Howisconflictpresentedinaninspectorcalls?PriestleyrevealsconflictattheheartoftheBirling familybyshapingupdisagreementbetweenthemthroughouttheplay.Thisisevidentin'butthese girlsaren'tcheaplabor.They'repeople.'Sheilaportraystheyoungergeneration'simpressionability. Althoughsheviewstheworkersaspeople,shereferstothemas'thesegirls'whichisstillharshand coldbutnotasdehumanizingasMrBirling'sreferralandtreatmentTheitalicizedlettersofthe noun'people'emphasiseshowdifferentMr.BirlingandSheilaviewlowerclasssociety.however, Birlingcompletelyopposeshisdaughterin,'Ithasnothingwhatevertodowiththiswretchedgirls suicideEh,Inspector?'heisquiteremorselessshowmorecontent

Thisisevidentin"Weareresponsibleforeachother."Theinspectorimpliesthateveryoneis responsibleforoneanother,utterlycontradictingMr.Birling'sspeechbeforehecamein.The inspectoristhemostconflictingcharacterintheentireplayashestandscoolandhardbeforethe Birlingsandtheaudienceandunveilstheconsequencesoftheiractionsonthosebelowthem.The dramaticironyreinforcesthattheinspectorisinfactvoicingPriestley'smessageout,therefore emphasizingtheeffect.Furthermore,theinspectorispresentedasthefigureofauthorityintheplay. Thisisreinforcedin"massivelytakingchargeasdisputeeruptsbetweenthem."Heistheonly characterthatcalmsdownthehouseholdwhenanargumentbreaks.Healsoexpressesnointerest towardsMr.birling'sauthoritativefriendsanddisregardshisthreats.Thestagedirectionsreinforce thatwhencapitalismdestroyseverything,socialismistheonlyanswerBothcontemporaryand modernaudienceisleftinaconflictingsituationashecreatesconflictintheplaybetweenother

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AnInspectorCallsCharacterAnalysis

Intheplay,'AnInspectorCalls',writtenbyJ.BPriestlyin1945,Ericisfeaturedaspartofthemain charactersinawealthyfamily,whoarecelebratingEric'ssister,Sheila'sengagement.Despitehis apparentmisfitandmysterytothereaderasthecurtainfalls,PriestlyemploysthecharacterofEric tofeatureinhisSocialistnarrativeplay,whichisfocusedonthefundamentalconceptof responsibilityDespitebeingcalledonbytheInspectoraboutagirlwhocommittedsuicide,Ericis weak–willedandlooksforwaystogetoutoftrouble,redirectingfocusthroughouttheinvestigation withtheInspectortoothers,despitehisremorsefulactionsanddrinkinghabits.Ericevidently doesn'tsharehisfather's'hard–headed'attitudetowardsbusiness,andconsequentlyadaptshis actionsthroughouttheplaytomanipulatethesituationgoingonaroundhim.Thus,hechangesin manywaysforvariousreasonsthroughouttheplay,asPriestlyincreasesthedramatictension.

OnewayinwhichEricchangesisinhisassertivenessandconfidenceastheplaycontinuesandthe storydevelopsEric'sintroductiontotheaudienceisthatofamystery,asPriestlyplaceshimwith hisbacktotheaudienceatMise–en–scene,andthenfirstintroducesErictotheaudiencewith'Eric suddenlyguffaws'.Theadverb'suddenly'demonstratesEric'sabstractnesstotheflowofthe dialogue,implyingthathemighthavesomethingtohide.ThisawkwardremarkfromEricprovokes aconfusedresponse

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AnInspectorCallsOneofthemainthemesofJBPriestley'splay"AnInspectorCalls"ishowman treatshisfellowman.'AnInspectorCalls'wassetin1912inanEdwardiansocietythiswasatimeof greatdividebetweentheclasses.Therewasalotofsocialunrestastheworkingclasspeoplewhere unitingtoprotestforfairpay,reducedworkinghours,andbetterworkingconditions.Theplayisset inTheBirlingHouseholdduringSheliaBirlingandGeraldCroftsengagementpartyTheparty comestoanabruptendwhenaunknowninspectorarrivesattheirdoorwithsomenews.Thenews thattheinspectorhasisthatagirlnamesEvaSmithcommittedsuicidebydrinkingstrong disinfectantAlthoughEvadoesn'tappearintheplay,theshowmorecontent

Afterfindingoutthemoneywasstolenshestoppedtakinghismoney.Ericproposedtheyget marriedanddotherightthingbutsherefusedassheknewhetooimmaturetobeafather.Attheend oftheplayherealiseshiswrongandchangeshisway:"Mygod–I'mnotlikelytoforget"This showinghefeelsbadforwhathedid.Italsoshowshehaslearnthislesson.Evaafterfalling pregnantwithEric'sbabywenttoacharitythathelpedwomaninneedShewasverydesperateat thistimeandusedMrsBirlingnameandafalsestoryaboutherhusbandleavingher.NotknowMrs Birlingwastheheadofthepanel.AfterhearingEvausehernameMrsBirlingtookaninstant dislikingtoherandusedherpowertoturnhercasedownpushingherovertheedge.Afterfinding outshewaspregnantshetoldhertogoandfindthefatheritwashisresponsibilitynotknowingit wasEric'sbabyPriestleyhascreatedtheinspectortoforcethecharacterstolookattheirattitudes andlives;tohopefullyawakentheirsocialconscienceandmakethemtakeresponsibilityfortheir treatmentofEvaSmith.Ithinkhedoesthisbynotmakinghimlikeacharacterbutliketheir conscienceandbymakinghisnameGoolelikeGhoulIdon'tthinkhesucceedsasonly2ofthe charactershavechangedtheirviewsandtakerepsonbitlityfortheiractionswheretheresthavenot changedtheytriedtosweepitunderthecarpet.GeraldandMrand

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AnalysisoftheInspectorinAnInspectorCallsbyJ.B.Priestley

ThewordInspectorsuggestssomeonewholookscloselyatthings,andthisishisroleintheevents oftheplay.This,andthefactthatPriestlyrecognisedtheBirlingswouldalmostcertainlyhave refusedtobequestionedbyacommonpoliceman,isprobablythereasonwhythepersontobring thenewsofEva/Daisy'sdeathisportrayedasaninspector

TheInspectorisnevergivenonespecificidentity,buttherearesomewhichwouldsuithischaracter. TheInspectorsname'Goole'soundsthesameasghoul–someonewithamorbidinterestindeathora spiritwhichissaidtotakefreshlifefromcorpses,anditis...showmorecontent...

Heoftenplaysthevoiceofconscience,hisfamiliaritywithwhateachcharacterhasdonegoes beyondwhatanyinvestigatormightreasonablybeexpectedtoknow.Thingsthattheyconcealed fromeachother–evenfromthemselves–arebroughttosurfaceattheInspectorsinsistence.Priestley intentionallyleavestheprovenanceofthefigureoftheInspectorunexplained,hisrealidentitya mystery.Thisismoreeffectivethananyclarificationwouldhavebeenbecausetorevealthatthe Inspectorwas,forexample,apracticaljoker(astheBirlingshope)orthathewasasortof'avenging spirit'wouldruintheeffecttheInspectorhasontheaudience.

TheeffecttheInspectorhasontheaudienceisasimportantastheeffecthehasonthecharactersin theplay.Thisisbecauseofwhatherepresents;theconscienceofnotonlythecharactersbutofalso theaudience.

ThroughtheInspectorPriestleypresentsus,theaudience,withasincerelyfeltandpowerfully expressedsocialmessageWeareshownthecomfortablehomeandrichwayoflifeoftheBirling family.Bycontrast,wehavetheaccountsofthedesperateattemptsofBirlingsfactoryworkersto increasetheirpoorwages,andthedrabandsordidlifethatEva/Daisisforcedtoleadasaresultof theactionsofpeoplesuchastheBirlingsPriestleyscompassionforthelowerand

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