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An Inspector Calls - Tension in the Birling Family

            Throughout the course of this play, we can see Priestley using tension not only as a force of attraction between the audience and the play but also to elevate the situation at hand whether it be according to Eva's death or the social status that all the characters represent. Priestley demonstrates this tension not only at the heart of the Birling family but also surrounding the Inspector and his political counter-comments against Arthur. We can see through the eyes of the Birlings, the tension between all the characters involved especially through the Inspector who lays the foundation for creating tension between Eva and the Birlings. Towards the beginning of the play we can see a relatively low level of tension between the Birlings. However, the lighting that Priestley demands i.e. pink and intimate suggests a more sinister tone. This immediately creates tension as the audience is intrigued as to the rather forced surroundings. Gerald and Sheila also demonstrate tension from the beginning, especially during Geralds rather direct (and untruthful) response to Sheila: And Ive told you I was awfully busy at the works all that time. This implies that this is not the first time Gerald has had to inform Sheila of his whereabouts whilst he was gallivanting off with Eva Smith, signifying previous and continuing strain amongst the Birlings. .
             As the play progresses we see the Inspector lethargically, but precisely extracting information out of the family which captivates the audience and possibly makes the audience anticipate the consequences of the confessions of each character. During Mrs Birlings attempt to prolong her confessions we reach a climactic point in the play where for the first time we see an angrier side to the Inspector; I warn you, you're making it worse for yourself. When Mrs Birling finally confesses, there is a release of tension but this is an example of stress at the heart of the Birling family.


Essays Related to An Inspector Calls - Tension in the Birling Family

1. An Inspector Calls

Show how the Inspectors presence creates dramatic tension. ... 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-An inspector?... The Inspector's arrival is a turning point and is used as a catalyst by Priestly.All the undercurrents of tension rise to the surface and the family begins to argue,talk and finally understand each other as the Inspect...

  • Word Count: 1612
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

2. An Inspector Calls

"An Inspector Calls" "Show how J.B Priestly creates dramatic tension in "An Inspector Calls"? "An Inspector Calls" written and created by J.B Priestly, the play is based on trust and responsibility, taking responsibility for your own actions. ... In the speech that Mr Birling gave to the family he says there will be no war. ... The servant walks into the dinning room and says, "Please an inspector called". ... The inspector then tells Mr Birling and Sheila that Eva was lucky enough to get a job at "Milwards". ...

  • Word Count: 1442
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

3. "The success of "An Inspector Calls"

"An Inspector Calls" was written in 1945 by J.B. ... The main characters are that of the Birling family and the inspector. ... Birling wants to make a good impression on the new member of the family, Gerald; in the opening lines of the play Mr. ... Birling is trying to "climb the social ladder" to one on a par with the Croft family and his wife. ... Birling's position in the family is also made quite clear on a couple of occasions. ...

  • Word Count: 5428
  • Approx Pages: 22
  • Grade Level: High School

4. An Inspector Calls

He claims that the Birling's have something to do with the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith. ... However, it is different in that An Inspector Calls does not involve a straightforward murder mystery because the death is a suicide. ... However, the inspector is punishing the Birling's mentally because he is adding to the guilt felt by most of the family by making them feel worse about it. ... Birling also becomes agitated at the involvement of his family and in the middle of act one he says angrily We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. ... An Inspector Call...

  • Word Count: 3228
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Grade Level: High School

5. An Inspector Calls

He claims that the Birling's have something to do with the suicide of a young girl called Eva Smith. ... However, it is different in that An Inspector Calls does not involve a straightforward murder mystery because the death is a suicide. ... However, the inspector is punishing the Birling's mentally because he is adding to the guilt felt by most of the family by making them feel worse about it. ... Birling also becomes agitated at the involvement of his family and in the middle of act one he says angrily We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. ... An Inspector Call...

  • Word Count: 3387
  • Approx Pages: 14
  • Grade Level: High School

6. An inspector calls

AN INSPECTOR CALLS THE PLOT. The plot of "an inspector calls- involves the Birling family who are an upper middle class family of the 20th centaury. ... The other thing is how this so-called inspector Goole happens to know everything about each of the five people, even though he is not an inspector at all. ... I call it lack."" His words create tension between him and his father. ...

  • Word Count: 1459
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

7. An Inspector Calls" Analysis of Dramatic Events

An Inspector Calls is a play which investigates the themes behind honesty, fairness, social justice and hypocrisy. It is about a family which consists of Arthur Birling, a wealthy, successful manufacturer, his wife, also his social superior, Cybil Birling and their children, Eric Birling and Sheila Birling. ... The stage would have been lit with light, bright colours to give the audience the impression of cheerfulness, when the Inspector, Inspector Goole, comes in and tells the family that a young woman has committed suicide by drinking industrial disinfectant. ... At this moment, the tension ...

  • Word Count: 1261
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Compare the Characters of Arthur and Sheila Birling.

An Inspector calls is deliberately set in 1912 to demonstrate Priestly's message which is "We are responsible for each other" 1912 was two years before World War one. ... The doorbell rings when it does because everything Birling has just said about looking after yourself, is contradicted by the inspector. ... A whole atmosphere of intense tension is created when he is around. ... I think Sheila should also be listening closely because she seems to understand the inspector more than her family does, she should correct her mother if she feels she is lying because Sheila does not want her m...

  • Word Count: 2117
  • Approx Pages: 8

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