The play An Inspector Calls by J B Priestly was written in 1938 and was set in 1912 when the barriers of class separation were still important. The play is set in an imaginary town called Brumley. Mr Birling has a set attitude towards life, and also an attitude to only care for himself and his family. The impression of selfishness and greed can be seen in the speech he gives at the celebration of Shelia's and Gerald's engagement. Birling's first priority is to make money and you can see that he is a man that tries to "make everything better" by using his money. His appearance is very important to him to give the impression of a good reputation with other class people, and not to make them think that he is lower than themselves.
The language used in the play is natural dialogue; it is straightforward plain speaking English. The play presents a short passage of time it is a breakdown of actions rather than an interpretation of the action.
The themes of the play centre on class difference, lies, jealousy, guilt and disbelief.
The scene is set in the Birling's dining room, which is lavishly decorated with big chunky bookcases and solid furniture, giving the impression that the Birling's are upper class people and the audience as yet have no reason to expect different.
The lighting used would be very subtle, soft and intimate, to give the impression of a cosy, peaceful family gathering. .
Birling is very self satisfied with his life and is proud of his status, he made the prediction that the titanic would never sink, this symbolises the Birling family, they consider themselves "unsinkable" and untouchable by the outside world, but as the audience knows the titanic does in fact sink, this is dramatic irony.
Birling than makes a speech saying,.
"The ways some of these cranks talk and write now you"d think everyone has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense" (p.