An Inspector Calls - Priestleys Presentation of the Inspector Essay

An inspector Calls - How does Priestleys presentation of the Inspector create dramatic tightness in the play?An Inspector CallsQuestion TitleHow does Priestleys presentation of the Inspector create dramatictension in the play?During the play An Inspector Calls the Inspector is used as adramatic device. He raises and decreases the tension overdue to hisattitude, actions, speeches and his symbolic role to the family, andaudience at the time when the play was first performed. Throughout myessay I will be examining how Priestleys presentation of theInspector generates tension throughout the play.Before the Inspector is introduced into the play, the cash machine inthe Birlings house is quite relaxed. They are celebrating Sheila andGeralds engagement, so there is a party atmosphere and dull lighting.The story directions describe the situation as At the moment theyhave all had a good dinner, are celebrating a special occasion, andare pleased with themselves. The Inspectors stretch dis rupts thefamilys celebration this automatically raises the tension, becausethe family would be annoyed by the abrupt interruption of theircelebration.When the Inspector first rings the doorbell, Birling is just finishingone of his autocratic speeches. He has just said a populace has to mind hisown business and look after himself and his own. This is significantin relationship to the play because Birlings pilot light views areexactly what Priestley, through the Inspector, is trying to teach theaudience not to think like. Birling is the kind of person whoPriestley is trying to get through to.The atmosphere is also made uneasy because no one knows definitely whythe Inspector has called bu... ...r classes and theway that the Inspector brought these ideas crashing down. In the 1954film version of the play the man who plays the Inspector is a palefaced man with dark dramatic eyes. This makes the Inspector lookghostly enforcing some peoples theories of him being a ghost.Because the Ins pectors true indistinguishability is not revealed the tension inthe play is increased. This is because the audience dont knowanything about the Inspector, so do not trust the inspector andthere-fore would be put on edge by him.Priestley has presented the Inspector in a very mysterious way, we donot know where he comes from or anything about him, but it is shortlymade clear why he is in the play to teach an important lesson. Theaudience is left thinking about the play and all the issues raised init. This play definitely left me thinking about my role among society.