Exploring Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls': Dramatic Devices and Social Critique

Overview of 'An Inspector Calls'

J.B. Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' is a renowned work of English theatre, combining elements of mystery, morality, and social commentary. Set in 1912 but written in 1945, the play explores the hypocrisy and callousness of the wealthy Birling family through the lens of a surprise visit from a mysterious Inspector. Priestley skilfully employs dramatic devices to heighten the tension and convey his compelling social message.

Social and Political Themes

At its core, 'An Inspector Calls' is a scathing critique of the entrenched class divide and the exploitation of the working class by the privileged elite. The play exposes the indifference and selfish actions of the Birling family members, each implicated in the tragic death of a young working-class woman named Eva Smith. Priestley uses this narrative to highlight the impact of individual choices on society and the interdependence of all people, regardless of class.

We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. - Inspector Goole

Dramatic Techniques

Priestley employs a range of dramatic techniques to heighten the tension and reinforce his message:

• Structural Devices: The play's real-time action, interrupted by flashbacks and the Inspector's revelations, maintains a sense of urgency and suspense.
• Dramatic Irony: The audience's knowledge of future events, such as the impending World Wars, adds poignancy to the Birlings' complacency and ignorance.
• Language and Symbolism: The Inspector's powerful rhetoric and the symbolic use of the lighting and the ringing doorbell contribute to the play's ominous atmosphere.

Symbolic Significance of the Inspector

While Priestley leaves the Inspector's true identity ambiguous, his symbolic role as a voice of morality and conscience is clear. His entrances and exits are marked by ominous lighting effects and the ringing of the doorbell, suggesting a supernatural or otherworldly presence.

Through its exploration of social responsibility, moral integrity, and the consequences of individual actions, 'An Inspector Calls' remains a poignant and relevant work that challenges audiences to examine their own choices and their impact on society.