Show how the Inspectors presence creates dramatic tension.
An Inspector Calls was written in the 1940's by J.B.Priestly and was first produced in London on 1st October 1946 at the New Theatre.The play is set in the year 1912.The play is about Eva Smith a young woman of twenty four years who has died in a infirmary.She had been taken there because she'd swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant.She committed suicide.Inspector Goole arrives for some information at the Birling household in the middle of Mr.Birlings speech.
I'll be examining the following scenes;the Inspectors arrival in Act one and when Mrs.Birling is interviewed in Act two.
Before the Inspectors arrival the family seems strong and happy.The men are confident and jovial which sets a very positive atmosphere.There are some undercurrents of tension throughout the beginning before the Inspectors arrival between Eric and Birling.
'BIRLING-Whats the matter with you?.
ERIC-(defiantly)Nothing.'.
They don't seem to understand each other which also implies they are not very close.When Edna announces Goole's arrival it affects the Birlings straight away.
'BIRLING-An inspector?What kind of inspector?'.
Mr.Birling is inquisitive,surprised and seems nervous but tries to take control by asking the questions to the Inspector confidently.Mr.Birling likes to be in control of his life and the situations he finds himself in besides he can't have any sort of public scandal which will jeopardise his chances of receiving a knighthood.
Before the Inspector arrives Birling is impatient with Eric and is in control of the situation.Birling is confident,jovial,excited and even smug about his daughters engagement because it may help to boost his social class and may even help him to receive a knighthood and title which will bring him up to the standards of the upper class.
When the Inspector arrives there is conflict and a clash of personalities between Birling and the Inspector.