Responsibility in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley
J.B Priestly wrote 'An Inspector Calls' just as the 2nd World War was coming to an end in 1945. The play was based in the time just before …show more content…
Mr Birling mentions in passing the Titanic, describing the ship as-
" Forty six thousand eight hundred tons - New York in
five days - and every luxury - and unsinkable, absolutely
unsinkable. That's what you've got to keep your eye on,
facts like that, progress like that."
This is very ironic, as it is widely known that the Titanic sunk on her maiden voyage, and although it was thought at the time the Titanic was unsinkable, it never did make it to New York in 'five days' like Mr Birling described. The audience would recognise this instantly as dramatic irony and also realise Mr Birling often doesn't really know what he's talking about.
When the Inspector arrives and goes through his line of questioning, talking to one person at a time, often quite sharply, he seems unaffected by the way Mr Birling reacts, especially to the questioning of his daughter on the day of her engagement. Sheila accuses the Inspector, quite politely, of talking as if they were responsible for Eva Smith's death, which early on comes as a shock to her. Birling, quite swiftly, cuts in- " Just a minute, Sheila. Now, …show more content…
But as the play draws to a close, Arthur receives a phone call making him aware of a girl's death at the Infirmary, and that an Inspector is on his way to 'ask some questions'. This leaves the dumbfounded Birlings with the prospect of their whole ordeal being re-run and the audience to decide and predict the forthcoming happenings to the Birlings.
It's obvious that the families' speech and tones become very different during the Inspectors questioning. Mr Birling changes from a contented man to an aggressive, abrupt and intolerant character. Eric and Sheila become a lot more emotional, which is understandable, but also more mature and sensible, which is more surprising. This may be a reaction to the actions of their parents. While there father tries to use his so-called social position and power to void himself of responsibility for Eva Smiths death, the two children realise this is wrong and doesn't work against the well prepared and knowledgeable Inspector. Gerald becomes nervous and 'readable', as both Sheila and the Inspector could tell very easily he had known Daisy Renton. His instability is probably a new side of his character to Sheila and
J.B Priestly wrote 'An Inspector Calls' just as the 2nd World War was coming to an end in 1945. The play was based in the time just before …show more content…
Mr Birling mentions in passing the Titanic, describing the ship as-
" Forty six thousand eight hundred tons - New York in
five days - and every luxury - and unsinkable, absolutely
unsinkable. That's what you've got to keep your eye on,
facts like that, progress like that."
This is very ironic, as it is widely known that the Titanic sunk on her maiden voyage, and although it was thought at the time the Titanic was unsinkable, it never did make it to New York in 'five days' like Mr Birling described. The audience would recognise this instantly as dramatic irony and also realise Mr Birling often doesn't really know what he's talking about.
When the Inspector arrives and goes through his line of questioning, talking to one person at a time, often quite sharply, he seems unaffected by the way Mr Birling reacts, especially to the questioning of his daughter on the day of her engagement. Sheila accuses the Inspector, quite politely, of talking as if they were responsible for Eva Smith's death, which early on comes as a shock to her. Birling, quite swiftly, cuts in- " Just a minute, Sheila. Now, …show more content…
But as the play draws to a close, Arthur receives a phone call making him aware of a girl's death at the Infirmary, and that an Inspector is on his way to 'ask some questions'. This leaves the dumbfounded Birlings with the prospect of their whole ordeal being re-run and the audience to decide and predict the forthcoming happenings to the Birlings.
It's obvious that the families' speech and tones become very different during the Inspectors questioning. Mr Birling changes from a contented man to an aggressive, abrupt and intolerant character. Eric and Sheila become a lot more emotional, which is understandable, but also more mature and sensible, which is more surprising. This may be a reaction to the actions of their parents. While there father tries to use his so-called social position and power to void himself of responsibility for Eva Smiths death, the two children realise this is wrong and doesn't work against the well prepared and knowledgeable Inspector. Gerald becomes nervous and 'readable', as both Sheila and the Inspector could tell very easily he had known Daisy Renton. His instability is probably a new side of his character to Sheila and