Dramatic techniques

Dramatic techniques

1. Priestley sets the tone of the play

   • Builds tension
     • Delays Geralds confession
       • Shifts the audiences attention to Sheila and Mrs Birling arguing that they should be able to hear what he has to say
       • Increases the audiences curiosity
     • The Inspector releases information bit by bit
       • He shows the photo to one person at a time
         • Keeps the characters on their toes, as much as the audience
   • Creates conflict

2. Posture

   • Everyone starts off sat down around the table
     • Sitting down could represent them covering up and not being open, like standing up
     • They're all close together
   • By the end of the play, most people are stood up
     • They're more open about what's happened and what they have to say. They don't have anything to hide anymore
     • They're more spread out which shows they are more separated and not how they used to be

3. Enterances and exits

   • An exit can represent a character escaping
     • Sheila runs off stage when she realises she was the reason Eva was sacked
       • She wants to escape the intense atmosphere as well as telling her story
   • The Inspector uses exits to help withdraw information from the characters
     • He leaves Gerald and Sheila alone when they're talking about Eva
   • The front door bangs everytime someone enters and exits the

4. Beginning and end of each act

   • Priestley freezes the action between the acts to create tension
     • He ends act one with a question: "Well?", and act two picks up from the action
       • Builds the suspense for the audience
     • He ends act two with the front door slamming (Erics return), but the audience have to wait till act three for Erics confession