An Inspector Calls – Summary Essay Example

on when characters enter and exit at the proper moments. One of the most significant directions in the entire play is "The INSPECTOR enters, and EDNA goes, closing the door after her". The use of cliffhanger endings makes the play captivating for the audience as they eagerly anticipate what happens next. Moreover, devices like the telephone and doorbell ringing create a level of intrigue for both the characters and audience, thus enhancing their engagement with the play.

'The telephone rings loudly, prompting a brief pause in the room. Birling moves toward it to answer, creating a sense of anticipation in the audience to uncover what unfolds in the story.'

The use of irony in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls" is heavily influenced by its historical and social context, resulting in a dramatic presentation. One instance of this is the dialogue from Mr. Birling, who speaks about the Titanic, a new liner which forty-six thousand tons and travels to New York in five days with every luxury, and is deemed absolutely unsinkable.

In the play's setting of 1912 - the year of Titanic's fateful maiden voyage - a sentence dripping with irony is uttered. To the reader, it's clear that disaster is looming, but the characters are blissfully unaware. War is also on the horizon, and Mr. Birling remarks that while many balk at the thought, some in the Balkans seem eager for conflict. To learn more about when incomplete sentences might be acceptable in essays, refer to
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The play incorporates various devices to engage the audience, including the revelation that 1914 brought about war with Germany - information that the characters are

not privy to. These techniques serve to highlight how people take certain things for granted. Additionally, irony is utilized by all characters, as exemplified by Mrs Birling's statement: "He should be made an example of. If the girls death is due to anybody, then it's due to him." She lays the blame for Eva Smith's demise on the man who impregnated her, while Eva sought Mrs. Birling's help after she had caused her child's mother to leave - unaware that the father was Eric himself.

The audience is especially engrossed in this part of An Inspector Calls as they anticipate whether Eric will face any further consequences for fathering the unborn child. The play frequently employs the use of surprise as a dramatic device, particularly in Act 3 where the characters are faced with many unexpected revelations. For instance, they discover that the Inspector was not a genuine police officer which adds to the confusion and keeps both the audience and characters engaged as they try to uncover the true identity of the Inspector.

This revelation that the inspector was not in fact a genuine police officer has significant implications for Mr and Mrs Birling, who had been concerned about the potential societal repercussions of the inspector's investigation and public disclosure regarding the suicide. They felt that if the information became public knowledge, others would fail to comprehend their situation or differentiate between confidential and public issues. However, upon learning that the inspector was fictitious, the couple no longer feel that they need to be concerned about their social status or the ramifications of their actions, as they believe that their secret will remain safe.

Although Mr.

and Mrs. Birling undergo minimal change throughout the play, they hold great significance as the primary characters and their actions greatly impact the audience. Despite learning that the inspector was not real, they do not reevaluate their behavior, likely due to their belief that they cannot face legal consequences.

The revelation that Gerald had an affair with Eva Smith doesn't change the fact that Sheila, Eric, and Gerald all feel guilt. Their trust in each other has been shattered, and they believe the inspector's visit had a moral purpose. They are remorseful for their selfish actions that disregarded the potentially fatal consequences for Eva Smith.

The audience is alerted to the fact that present events can be traced back to the past. Additionally, the possibility of Eva Smith being admitted to the infirmary is debated. The revelation that there have been no recent suicide attempts, such as ingesting disinfectant, is both stunning and unexpected: "No girl has died in there today. Nobody's been brought in after drinking disinfectant."

After months without any incidents of suicide, the characters in the play are taken aback. Mr and Mrs Birling, in particular, believe that the night should be forgotten and opt to toast to themselves. "Well, here's to us. Come on, Sheila, don't look like that. All over now," they say.

Despite everything that had happened, Sheila still feels remorseful for her actions. She acknowledges that everything they had claimed to have occurred had actually taken place and that if things had not turned out tragically, they would have been fortunate. This realization is particularly intense for the audience since, throughout the play, nobody suspected the events were fabricated. Once the

characters learned that the suicide was a sham and the inspector was fake, Mr Birling's phone rings. This unexpected call adds to the excitement of the play as the audience becomes intrigued to know who is calling and why they are phoning so late at night.

The police have reported a suicide of a young girl and an Inspector is expected to arrive for questioning. J.B Priestley has utilized the telephone to allow the audience to eavesdrop on one side of the conversation while observing Mr Birling's distressed expression. This has captured the attention of both the audience and other characters present.

"Hello, this is Mr. Birling speaking. How may I assist you?"

Here is a quote expressing the audience's captivation. In my opinion, Shelia embodies the beliefs of J. B Priestley.

Sheila takes responsibility for her actions and doesn't try to deny them after learning the inspector was not legitimate. Rather, she tries to make the rest of her family see their own culpability in the situation. The author uses Sheila to express his views on similar circumstances. "If all that has been revealed tonight is true, then it doesn't matter who made us own up to our actions. And it was true, wasn't it? You dismissed the girl from one job, and I did the same from another. Gerald kept her on, even though he claimed to be too busy for me."

Eric's actions are known, but what really mattered was his mother's final push that led to the woman's demise. The fact that a man is a police inspector is not important. Conflict is present among all characters in An Inspector Calls, which creates

a dramatic and tense atmosphere for the audience.

Family conflicts arise in the play, particularly between Mr and Mrs Birling and their children. The disagreements revolve around topics such as the inspector's knowledge and their accountability once it is revealed that he was not a genuine police inspector. Additionally, Sheila and Gerald experience personal conflicts in their relationship due to the inspector's visit. Priestly creates dramatic tension in act 2 when the topic of Eva's baby's father comes up, as Mrs Birling blames the man responsible for Eva's pregnancy for her death. However, she is unaware that it was her own son, Eric. The inspector's persistence in speaking with Eric prompts Mrs Birling to suspect him as the father.

The thrilling aspect of discovering the truth and the addition of conflict both contribute to the captivating nature of the story. Conflict specifically brings excitement to those witnessing it. After visiting, both Shelia and Eric seem to have experienced a shift in their perspective, feeling remorseful and disheartened over the actions they took in Eva's life that caused her to feel unhappy and depressed.

While initially displaying arrogance towards the inspector, certain characters in the play gradually come to realize that the inspector is already aware of everything they reveal. Mr and Mrs Birling exhibit similar behavior, attempting to position themselves as superior to the inspector. For instance, Mr Birling boasts about his past positions of authority, claiming to be familiar with Brumley police officers and asserting that he has never met the inspector before. This is done in recognition of the inspector's higher status.

The play's dramatic tension stems from a conflict arising between the Birling family, which

is heightened by the author's use of the Inspector character. The Inspector serves as a device to rationalize the Birling family's behavior and is crucial to the play's plot. First introduced as a 'massive, solid, and purposeful' figure, the Inspector becomes the most important character in the play. The name Goole evokes associations with ghosts, foreshadowing the play's ending.

The Inspector's appearance exudes power, authority, control, and solidity. He is secretive and cautious in his demeanor around the other characters. The Inspector's arrival during the celebration of an engagement, a joyous time, challenges the audience's perspective. J. uses the Inspector as a voice to convey this message. EDNA leaves and closes the door as the Inspector enters.

B Priestley's play features a moralistic protagonist who supersedes the Birlings. The Inspector's investigations are dramatic due to his approach of speaking with each character about the death in turn, as he possesses knowledge about Eva Smith's demise and how the characters contributed to her suicide. Sheila is the first character to sense this, commenting, "You knew it was me all the time, didn't you?" The conclusion of the play is enigmatic and provokes thoughts from the spectators.

The conclusion of the play brings us back to its inception when the inspector initially arrives, prompting speculation about his supposed supernatural nature and whether he served as a warning to the Birlings. The incorporation of time as a concept contributes to the sense of tension for both characters and spectators. In my opinion, the play effectively employs these devices to create a gripping and meaningful experience for the audience.

Although the play was written and set in 1914, I believe that

contemporary problems like homelessness and refugees have altered. Nevertheless, it continues to evoke the same response from the audience. I consider the play's moral to be related to how life-altering events can occur gradually over time. Reflect on those less fortunate than you and think about how your actions can significantly impact the lives of others who reside and work in close proximity. This play challenges the audience's ethical perspectives on right and wrong.