J.B. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls' J.B. Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' is a compelling work that explores social responsibility and the consequences o...
J.B. Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' is a compelling work that explores social responsibility and the consequences of selfish actions. Set in 1912, the play follows the wealthy Birling family as they are visited by a mysterious Inspector on the night of their daughter's engagement celebration.
Priestley uses the play as a vehicle to critique the rigid class system and capitalist values of early 20th century Britain. The Birling family represents the affluent upper class, blinded by their wealth and unwilling to acknowledge their societal duties.
We're respectable citizens and not damn-criminals. (Arthur Birling)
The Inspector's investigation reveals how each family member's callous actions contributed to the tragic death of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. Priestley highlights the stark contrast between the privileged and the underprivileged, emphasizing the need for social equality and responsibility.
Priestley employs various dramatic techniques to heighten the play's tension and impact. The use of the Inspector as a symbolic figure adds an air of mystery and suspense, keeping the audience engaged. The play's episodic structure, with each character's involvement gradually revealed, builds anticipation and underscores the interconnectedness of their actions.
Dramatic irony is evident when Arthur Birling dismisses the idea of societal responsibility and the possibility of war, only for his words to be contradicted by later events:
The way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive. [...] There's a lot of wild talk about possible war, and a thing or two to learn before the fire, tonight. But I think we were all putting a bit too much responsibility on these young shoulders.
Through the use of stage directions, Priestley also emphasizes the shifting power dynamics and characters' reactions, adding depth to the performance.
In conclusion, 'An Inspector Calls' is a thought-provoking play that encourages readers to reflect on their social responsibilities and the consequences of their actions, making it a timeless and relevant work of literature.