An Inspector Calls

How does Priestly make the inspector such a dramatic character?

Before the First World War there was a huge class divide between the middle and working class. The working class had little money and poorly paid jobs, whereas the middle class had property, owned businesses and were wealthy. The rich were getting richer and the poor where getting poorer. The war changed this for a period of time; rich people had to experience what life was like for the working class due to the collective war effort. J B Priestly wrote the play to highlight the divide of the classes. He wanted the middle class to realise they had a social responsibility to the working class. In order to have a reformed society. Priestly wanted his audience to think and to consider what life would be like if they went back to Edwardian times. He is giving them a chance to change their ways. Priestly needs a dramatic and powerful character because the Inspector is used as a social conscience not only for the Birlings but for the audience and even society of the time.

Priestly makes the Inspector seem dramatic as soon as he enters. Even before we have met him we know that life in the Birling household is about to change dramatically. The audience sense the change in mood when the doorbell rings and Edna arrives announcing “An Inspector’s here.” As soon as this is said the mood changes from a happy celebratory group to a tense, confused and nervous atmosphere. The name “Inspector Goole,” immediately transmits unease through the audience they can sense this is not going to be an ordinary Inspector. The name Goole also suggests that there is something unusual about the Inspector maybe there is something ghoulish about him or something super natural the Inspectors name alone conjures up many connotations into our minds. The way the Birling’s react to the arrival of the Inspector is another example of how, before meeting him we know the Inspector is a dramatic character. Even without meeting The Inspector Mr Birling is terribly flustered, almost as though he knew he was guilty of something, but what? Priestly makes the inspector a dramatic character he does this through the impact he has on others around him.

Priestly gives the audience clues to as what the inspector is like by his introduction into the household and what he is dressed in. However, the final clue given before the Inspector actually speaks is not what anyone says or does, but by what is happening on stage. In the script it gives stage directions instructing a change in lighting. This in turn represents the change in mood. “The lighting is to go from pink and intimate to sharp and bright.” When the lighting was pink it was warm and cosy, I think Priestly chose the colour pink as a way to represent the close family unit the Birlings appear to be, as they celebrate the engagement of their beloved daughter, a happy and joyous occasion. The lighting then changes to a much harsher and brighter light; this marks the change in mood. It shows that what was a warm and inviting household is now a lot colder and the happy atmosphere is possibly about to be destroyed. This makes the character of the Inspector seem dramatic as the lighting changes only when he enters. It doesn’t for the other characters as they walk in and out. The lightening adds drama to the inspector’s character.

Furthermore Priestly presents the Inspector as a dramatic character is by giving stage directions on the Inspectors manner. By this I mean his tone of voice and abruptness of the Inspector. Priestly writes in such a way that the Inspector does not sugar coat what he says on the contrary he is extremely blunt and to the point. This not only effects the other characters in the play but also the audience, as they are taken aback by the way he phrases what he says. In 1912 it was unexpected and unacceptable for a police inspector to talk in such a manner as the Inspector to the Birlings. As an upper class family this is breaking social etiquette of the time which emphasises The Inspectors role as a dramatic character. The audience is under no illusions that this is a normal inspector as his opening lines are.

“Mr Birling. 2 hours ago a young women died in the infirmary. She’d been taken there this afternoon because she had swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her insides out, of course.”

This being the first thing the Inspector says to the Birlings this is very powerful and dramatic. Priestly writes so that the audience and the characters are presented with the facts nothing more nothing less. The character of the Inspector doesn’t try to cover anything up; he tells things how they are. He shocks the Birlings before the investigation is even under way. I think shock tactics work with the Birlings. The Inspector only needed to tell them one fact and they were willing to talk. This shows the audience that the Inspector has a powerful impact on others. The Inspector needs to be dramatic in order to fulfil Priestley’s purpose for writing the play.

The Inspector not only has a very powerful opening speech he also has an extremely dramatic ending speech. This shows the Audience that the Inspector is consistently dramatic and even when he has found out everything he needs to know he likes to leave an impact on the people he has interviewed. He wants to make them