1. Inspector Calls
The Birlings are a rich family. Their purpose, apart from entertaining, is to represent their social classes. Arthur Birling is "rather portentous" and shows himself to have wrong impressions and ideas about the world and so, is somewhat politically uneducated. Sybil Birling, the former's sanctimonious wife is cold and of a higher class than Birling. She is very concerned about what the society thinks of her and shows her class to be cold, unkind and conceited. Mr. And Mrs. Birling represents the higher class in society. Sheila the Birlings" daughter, is an animated and vivacious character who has an idea about the outside world and so, is not completely innocent. Eric, her brother, is characterized as "half-shy" and "half-assertive". Shiela and Eric together represent the younger generation in society. Their progression is from "immature" and "ignorance" to that of "knowledge". Gerald Croft is described as the "easy-well bred young man about town" who basically portrays the hypocrisy and deceit of the higher class. .
In the opening scenes, the audience is given a further impression of some of the characters by giving references to the impossibility of War (which follows in 1914) and to progress man is making, represented by the Titanic (which sinks on its maiden voyage). This is most effective to show the pomposity of Birling's social class. Eva Smith represents the working class. She is time and again, downtrodden. i.e. Mr. Birling throws her out of her job when she needed it. Gerald and Eric both use her and in some way keep secret or smother the fact that they did. Sheila uses her power to throw her out of her last job for virtually no reason - as she admits later on she was just jealous ("Inspector: It almost seems you were jealous of her; Sheila: Yes, I guess I was"). Mrs. Birling sees to it that Eva gets no help when the latter needed it most, simply because Mrs. Birling did not like the girls manner and "show" of feelings.
In the play "An Inspector Calls" written by J.B Priestly, A rich family called the Birlings are having a meal when an unexpected inspector arrives at their door. ... J.B Priestly wrote the play in 1945 although it is set in 1912. ... He uses the Inspector well as the inspector's views are similar to those of Priestly. The inspector represents Priestly's strong view on life. ... This shows how Priestly feels and soon after the war broke out so men didn't learn the lesson and many were killed. ...
"An Inspector Calls" by J.B Priestly was first performed in 1945. ... Priestly wanted Britain to move forward and not return to the values of 1912. ... Priestly attempts to suggest his ideas through the characters in the play. ... Priestly wanted the Inspector to appear to be threatening. ... The Inspector represents the voice of Priestly. ...
An Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls Title: An Inspector Calls Author: J.B Priestly Background information setting The play is set in 1912, and being set at this time there was not only opportunity for predictions but also for a more drastic look at the relationship between rich and poor. ... Priestly believed a great deal in socialism and he used several of his plays to try and influence people to be Socialist as well. ... In this way the play is Priestly's comment on the values of that period. J.B. ... In 1977 J.B Prietley received the Order Merit. ...
J.B. ... Priestly also explains how Shakespeare doesn't just make Macbeth the usual criminal, he makes him imaginative so he does have a conscience to deal with, and this gives his character a more human aspect. ... Priestly adds that the real tragedy of Macbeth is not that a bloodthirsty, power-driven tyrant uses any means possible to gain his position as king, rather it is that a once-honorable man compromised his morals under self-ambition and he slowly murdered himself doing so. But even Priestly, as complimenting as he is towards Shakespeare, doesn't think his work is perfect....
Priestly wrote the play for people to realise that: "We don't live alone. ... J.B. ... Priestly believes that people's actions do affect others. ... Priestly uses dramatic irony to show the foolishness of Arthur Birling. ... Priestly tries to teach the audience something. ...
"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. ...
"The style of the play seems to be that of the straightforward detective thriller. To what extent is this statement true?- At the beginning of the play, J.B. Priestley gives a very elaborate and detailed amount of stage settings, lighting and character descriptions. These were so detailed as...
"The style of the play seems to be that of the straightforward detective thriller. To what extent is this statement true?- At the beginning of the play, J.B. Priestley gives a very elaborate and detailed amount of stage settings, lighting and character descriptions. These were so detailed as...