In the play, 'An Inspector Calls', the characters Mr. Arthur Birling and Inspector Goole have contrasting views on the idea of community and being responsible for how an individual's actions affect other people. Birling does not believe in community at all and feels that it should be each man for himself, but Inspector Goole argues that we must think about how our actions will affect others, and Birling's attitude will come to no good. This contrast between the two views is the basis of the play, and it is used to keep the audience interested, and makes them think about their own views. Throughout the play both characters try to change each others views, and attempt to justify their own.
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Priestley makes use of the detective thriller genre in the play, from the start it appears to the audience to be a straight forward detective thriller, but as the involvement of each character is progressively established, the structure quickly changes to that of a 'whodunit'. 'An Inspector Calls' is a well made play with both the characters and audience progressing from ignorance to knowledge as they learn more about what has happened to Eva Smith. The Inspector starts by interrogating the main man of the family, Arthur Birling, and then goes on to follow the story of each person one at a time: Mr. Birling, Sheila, Gerald, Mrs. Birling and then Eric. This is almost the order of how and when the events leading up to Eva's death happened, apart from Eric at the end who is left till last. This keeps the audience in suspense until the end of the play, as he has the biggest revelation and is the guiltiest. The audience's interest is maintained throughout the play by the desire to find out who was ultimately responsible for driving Eva to suicide, as they realize that each character is implicated somehow and each character is guiltier than the last. This is helped by the clever cliff hangers that are left during the play.
- At the beginning of the play, J.B. Priestley gives a very elaborate and detailed amount of stage settings, lighting and character descriptions. ... Priestley emphasises how out of touch Birling is by adding, Russia will always be behind naturally'. ... In Priestley's view, the person who represents socialism is the good character. ... This way Priestley's aim would come across in a good way. ...
- At the beginning of the play, J.B. Priestley gives a very elaborate and detailed amount of stage settings, lighting and character descriptions. ... Priestley emphasises how out of touch Birling is by adding, Russia will always be behind naturally'. ... In Priestley's view, the person who represents socialism is the good character. ... This way Priestley's aim would come across in a good way. ...
Refer to specific incidences and use textual references to support your ideas An inspector calls is written by J.B Priestley and is about a prosperous manufacturer named Arthur Birling. ... This shows that the inspector voices Priestley's socialist views. ... I think the inspector represents Priestley's strong moral view. ... I think Priestley's message to the audience is to make people think about their actions and consequences. ... Priestley's also disliked the class system, and wanted to the show the audience how unfair the class system can be. ...
In this way, Priestley has asked his audience to act as a judge and to reach personal conclusions about him. ... It was a popular way of thinking at that time so Priestley's aim for the play was probably to teach the unconvinced. ... J.B. Priestley He was born in Bradford in 1894. ... In 1977 J.B Prietley received the Order Merit. ...
Priestley's class-self-consciousness is evident too, and an example of this is how the Birlings treat the maid. ... As the story continues, Priestley shows how capitalists can use their wealth over the working-class people like Eva Smith. ... Priestley believes strongly in socialism and shows this by portraying the Birling's as a ruthless family. ... I think that the speech sums up all of Priestley's views. ... I think that J.B. ...
"An Inspector Calls" was written in 1945 by J.B. Priestley although it is set in the spring of 1912. ... As well as being rather pompous he is described by Priestley as "portentous" due to his views of the future. ... Priestley tells us his appearance gives him an "impression of massiveness". ... Throughout the play the three unities of time, place and action are used to great effect by Priestley. ...
Shakespeare, Master of the Language Lasting for over 400 years, Shakespeare's works have been regarded as some of the most admired of all time. Many people have written essays, even books, on what made him such a good writer or if he was really that good at all. These reasons can be constru...
A brief summary of "An inspector calls": The story takes its start an evening in spring to the engagement party of Gerald Croft and Sheila Birling, in the house of the Birling. They are all having a jolly evening, until Inspector Goole is interrupting the little party with bad news. A young w...
J.B Priestley wrote An Inspector Calls' in 1945, however, the play was set in 1912. Priestley's main aim in writing this play was to warn the government of the consequences of not making social changes that natural justice demanded. Priestley had fought in the First World War. ...
