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An Inspector Calls (Characters (Mr. Arthur Birling, Mrs. Sybil Birling,…
An Inspector Calls
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Language Techniques
Dramatic pauses
A significant dramatic pause is used at the end of Act One when the Inspector says to Sheila and Gerald 'Well?'
After the act ended, there would be an intermission. The audience would go into the theatre bar buzzing with questions, desperate for the next act to start.
Repetition
In real life people repeat themselves - Priestley uses this technique to add a sense of realism and character to his dialogue. Eric says 'He could. He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out.
The playwright cannot rely on lengthy descriptions about actions and appearance. This repetition helps get across Eric's character in a subtle way.
Gasps and interruptions
Priestley uses interruptions to add to the drama, a panicked Mr Birling quickly interrupts his daughter '(cutting in) Just a minute, Sheila. Now, Inspector, perhaps you and I had better go and talk this over quietly in a corner-'.
This makes the audience dislike Mr Birling further. He is shown to be a man who will try to avoid taking responsibility for his actions.
Stage Directions
Priestley helps actors with their delivery of lines. Mr Birling loses patience '(rather impatiently) Yes, yes. Horrid business.'
The effect in this case is to show the arrogance of Mr Birling, he is trying to hurry the Inspector along. Stage directions can be used for a wide range of different purposes.
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Critical Quotes
BIRLING
A friend of mine went over this new liner last week the Titanic - she sails next week forty-six thousand eight hundred tons forty-six thousand eight hundred tons New York in five days and every luxury and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.
INSPECTOR
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. Good night.
BIRLING
But take my word for it, you youngsters - and I've learnt in the good hard school of experience - that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and -
We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell.
Social Context
‘ An Inspector Calls’ was written in 1946 but is set in 1912. Put historically, it was written just after the Second World War and set just before the First World War.
J.B. Priestley had lived through both wars, which must have had a huge impact upon him.
By setting the play in the past, Priestley can make use of dramatic irony – the audience knows what happens after the events in the play but obviously the characters don’t.
Narrative Techniques
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J.B Priestly is a socialist trying to voice a socialist opinion in a capitalist society, He trying to get people to help each others
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