An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

1. Dramatic Devices

   • Stage Directions
     • "Birling: (cutting it) Just a minute, Sheila..."
       • Priestly wants Mr Birling to interrupt to show he is afraid that Sheila will say something that will get him into trouble.
   • Dramatic Irony
     • "...the titanic...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"
       • Mr Birling is saying that the titanic is unsinkable, while the audience already knew that it sank.
     • "There'll be peace and prosperity..."
       • Mr Birling tells the younger generation he is very certain that there will be no war. This is ironic because the audience know that World War One and Two happened afterwards.

2. Characters

   • Mr Birling
     • He refused to give Eva Smith a higher pay and fired her.
   • Sheila
     • Sheila made Eva Smith lost her job.
   • Gerald
     • Even though Gerald made Eva Smith happy, he used her as a tool and left he when he wants to.
   • Mrs Birling
     • Mrs Birling refused to help Eva Smith when she most needed help
   • Eric
     • He made Eva Smith pregnant and was unable to support her.
   • Inspector Goole
     • He made each of the characters to confess their wrong doings.
     • He symbolise socialism.
     • He had power over the other characters. "One person and one line of inquiry at a time." He controls who is speaking and which characters leave or enters the scene at what time.

3. Themes

   • Responsibilities
     • After they found out that there was no actual Inspector Goole, they were relieved and act as nothing happened .
       • "Sheila: ...now you're...pretend that nothing much has happened."
         • Only Sheila and Eric felt responsible for what they did to the girl. They thought that the Inspector taught them a very good lesson.
   • Socialism
     • "But just remember this...We are all responsible for each other...they will be taught in fire and bloody and anguish."
   • Capitalism
     • "... a man has to make his own way..."