How Does Priestly Make the Inspector Such a Dramatic Character?Join now to read essay How Does Priestly Make the Inspector Such a Dramatic Character?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.

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The scene then comes to an end which makes for an extremely satisfying play! To this reviewer’s credit, after making a suggestion, the Inspector is found guilty by an acquittal, but by this he is shown the truth of his charge and that is a very high honour. It was not only a commendable play by a professional, but by a real theatre troupe in Scotland who performed excellent work.

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The final section is particularly effective.

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The following is what I think of as Priestly’s first draft script:It follows the usual pattern that the Inspector should not appear in the plays – he is to come to the scene with information only if requested by the Theatre-Master.

We have seen in the film some versions of the Inspector, but by making this a part of the dialogue and setting the stage, it was really clear that he was the Inspector himself. Although the characters were certainly interesting, their roles were not consistent and the performance as Priestly was not good. The best part of the script was Priestly’s portrayal of the Inspector. In the play it is very clear that the Inspector is always very professional and not only his appearance here was the very best in the theater but also by far the most serious. While we see a lot of the Inspector himself, he is less than human and instead of being the Inspector, he is a beautiful and interesting one. He has his own style and his own background as far as I am concerned. He is an elegant man and was always known in the theatre for his charisma and intelligence. This is a very good thing for the theatre as well as him.

To this reviewerI’ve seen quite a few versions of this script but this is for my readers. It was a brilliant script and the story told through the eyes of the Inspector. It is a real drama and the end result is amazing.

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