Inspector as a dramatic device Essays

Inspector as a dramatic device Essays Inspector as a dramatic device Essay Inspector as a dramatic device Essay At the start of the play, we see a well-to-do family at dinner. The mood is quite relaxed, as they are chatting politely, yet informally. They are drinking alcohol liberally. They are wearing fashions of the period, and the men are wearing tails and white ties, not dinner jackets. The family are content, maybe as they have nothing to be anxious about and everything is going fine in their lives. They have no real worries. Business is doing well for Arthur Birling, and he is in line for a possible Knight-hood. Sheila has just got herself engaged to pleasant, affluent Gerald Croft, whose father is a friendly rival in business with Arthur Birling. The family seem unified. Nobody is expecting a visit from an Inspector. Neither is anybody aware that each of them, in turn, has had connections with Eva Smith.  No one thinks their path crosses with Evas, but they are wrong. Theyve all met her, and made an impression on her life. They dont know it, but theyre in for a surprise  Surprise and shock continues throughout the play. The actual arrival of the Inspector is an initial shock. When he enters, he is extremely abrupt. He gets straight to the point and doesnt hang around. He informs Birling that two hours ago a young woman died in the Infirmary. Yes, yes. Horrid business. But I dont understand why you should come here, Inspector - says Birling. It is obvious he doesnt care about the young woman who has just taken her own life, instead, hes just apprehensive about why the Inspectors visit concerns him. His lack of compassion and sympathy is awful. Arthur Birling is always looking out for himself. No one outside of the family matters, according to him. He talks about how everyman is for himself, and that the time is a prosperous one for everyone.  The Inspectors character is a plot-mover. He moves the story along, and gets the audience to focus. He is sort of like an explorer, as he gets the characters searching and interrogating themselves and each other. When its Sheilas turn for questioning, and the Inspector shows her the photo of Eva, it causes her to scream and run out. Firstly, Sheila is truly shocked to hear that the girl has died, and secondly, the audience wants to see what has caused her to behave in such a way.  The Inspector also shows Gerald a photograph. By showing each one a photo, he spotlights each ones importance. He also creates an air of mystery, because none of the characters are sure, that they all see the same photograph.  When its Mrs Birlings turn for the investigation, she does her best to be stubborn, and tries to be clever, by being dismissive and arguing her opinions strongly. The Inspector traps her into talking about how she dismissed Eva Smith, in her time of need. He is sharp, and quick, and Mrs Birling cant help falling into the trap. The Inspector uses dramatic irony here, as both Shelia and the audience can see whats coming.  The Inspector investigated each member of the family. He found that Mr Birling is self-centred, and egoistic, and that Mrs Birling is just concerned about the family, and things being proper. He also reveiled that even though Shelia was selfish, and irrational to get Eva sacked from her job, she wasnt a bad person, and was capable of feeling sympathy and compassion. Unlike her parents. He found Eric to be a lost boy who felt he couldnt depend on his parents. He said that Mr Birling wasnt the kind of father a chap could go to when hes in trouble. Priestley chose to set this play around a family, which is apparently united and well to do, which may in fact not be as secure as it looked. The children, Eric and Sheila share different views to their parents, to show that maybe a new generation may be more compassionate towards others, so the future may be brighter  You see, Priestley was a socialist. When you have time to reflect on the story afterwards, you start to wonder if Priestley was using the Inspector as a mouthpiece, as a way of voicing and expressing his opinions and views. Priestley believed that co-operation in society is necessary for things to advance. This is everything Arthur Birling disagrees with. He thinks that everyman is for himself. I think the Inspector was part of the mystery. When its relieved that he isnt a real Inspector, we start to question the play. We look to find answers. Was he a ghost? A murderer? Eva Smiths brother? But then we find out that a suicide did take place, and there will be questioning, the drama continues  The message of the play is, that we all have to help each other and look out for each other. The actions that we portray in society, if handled badly may end in disaster. We are members of one body and we are responsible for each other.