Comment on the Dramatic Effectiveness of the Inspector Essay Example

The Inspector's tendency to be sarcastic causes offense to Mr. and Mrs. Birling as they are not accustomed to such treatment. However, the Inspector impresses Sheila, ultimately earning her trust and respect, as well as that of Eric and Gerald. This is symbolic of the next generation making a positive difference. The tension increases as everyone has different views on the Inspector.

At the end of scene two, there is a heightened tension as Eric enters following the revelation of his deceit and lies. The cleverly written cliff-hanger maintains the audience's attention. Priestley effectively changes the tone and language of the inspector to reflect the atmosphere and mood on stage. During Sheila's confession, the inspector is kind and gentle, while during Mrs Birling's questioning, he is sarcastic and almost rude. This treatment does not seem dependent on gender, as both examples are female. Priestley's aim was to address controversial topics of the time, including sexism, social class inequality, and the issue of cheap labor.

Using the Inspector, Priestley effectively conveys his opinions about shallow businessmen and their pampered spouses in a non-offensive but slightly unrefined manner. The success of this approach and the level of dramatic tension are attributable in part to the performance of the actor portraying the Inspector and the supporting actors in other roles. Timing, tone, mood, and atmosphere all contribute to generating a heightened sense of tension, resulting in a first-rate production.

The contrast between the inspector's demeanor in most of the play versus his outburst of frustration is striking. His sharp comment, "I'm losing all patience with you people. What did she say?" surprises the other characters and causes Mrs. Birling to

respond more effectively to his questioning. Mr Birling also starts appreciating the inspector more after this incident. One of the inspector's most notable speeches is in scene one's end, where he talks about how women from lower classes were unfairly treated as cheap laborers. He comments, "There are a lot of young women living that existence in every city and big town in this country, Miss Birling."

Without the existence of cheap labour, factories would struggle to identify potential sources. If you were to ask your father, he would agree. This sentiment is shared by Sheila and Eric, who question their parents' attitudes and exhibit a level of humility not seen in their elders or even Gerald. The inspector consistently encourages the family to remain composed and when they do begin to argue, he intervenes to restore order. This illustrates his unequivocal mastery over the situation and the reverence, which the other characters hold for him.

The inspector's language is not what would be expected in the company, as his tone and manner are quite confrontational. He says things like "don't stammer and yammer at me again, man," which would be unheard of when speaking to an upper class person in that era. Despite this, Mrs Birling points out that he treated Eva Smith even worse. The inspector's character changes as the play goes on, shifting from wanting the Birlings to realize what they did to one girl to making them aware that there are thousands of girls like Eva trying to survive. He emphasizes that they are responsible for each other because "we don't live alone. We are members of one body."

Despite its unattainability at the

time due to social classes and inequality, I believe that the sentiment expressed in this speech is exceedingly accurate. Its impact would be even greater if it were delivered as the final address in the play. When the Inspector departs, he vanishes just as suddenly as he arrived, leaving the Birlings to deal with the aftermath and rebuild their lives. A suitable lighting change could also aid in shifting the mood back to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that prevailed before the Inspector arrived.

After the inspector's departure, Mr and Mrs Birling return to their conceited selves, while Shelia and Eric take away a valuable lesson that they will always remember, exhibiting a transformed outlook. This reaffirms Priestley's principle that the youth holds the key to the future and is the harbinger of change.