An Inspector calls Techniques

An Inspector calls Techniques

1. dramatic irony

   • makes Mr B look foolish - so we don't trust his capitalist ideas - e.g. when he says there will not be a war
   • humour
     • e.g. when Mr B says the Titanic is unsinkable
   • Audience has advantage over characters - makes them more open to Priestley's message

2. stage direction

   • set the audience up to think about character in a certain way before play starts
   • make revelation later in the play carry more weight
   • emphasises character emotions so the audience understand the social message

3. the inspector

   • device to move plot along and control the pace of events
     • keeps the pace - interests audience and highlights the socialist message

4. setting and lighting

   • Pink at the beginning - looking at life through 'rose tinted glasses'
   • reflects the mood is about to change
   • The Billings removing the glasses to a place where their actions are revealed under harsh lighting

5. tension

   • small bits of info revealed at a time
   • keeps us guessing till end of play
   • makes us curious
   • showing the photo to one person at a time

6. foreshadowing

   • subtle hints given throughout the play about what is going to happen next
   • arouses interest from the audience
   • e.g we know that the comfortable atmosphere will change - Eric is nervous about something

7. Exits and entrances

   • create dramatic effect and add to tensions - e.g. spotlight on Mrs Birling at end of Act 2
   • highlight relevant areas - e.g. Mrs Birling's inability to see/ accept the truth
   • Are the characters escaping from something when they exit?

8. Euphemism

   • avoid saying something unpleasant by using vaguer words
     • hiding from the truth
     • e.g. "women of the town" - prostitutes