An inspector calls jb priestley pdf

But since the identities of the victims are impossible to predict, it's considered acceptable. You can definitely see Priestly's point here. View all 10 comments. Sep 16, Nandakishore Mridula rated it really liked it. The proscenium stage has a romance of its own. You, the spectator, is actually a Peeping Tom, staring into the lives of total strangers through the invisible fourth wall. And what lives! For on the stage, time and space are usually compressed or telescoped according to the whims and fancies of the playwright.

Passions are exaggerated on purpose, and action proceeds at an unbelievable pace; all the while retaining the semblance of normality this is not essential for an arena stage, where the unr The proscenium stage has a romance of its own. Passions are exaggerated on purpose, and action proceeds at an unbelievable pace; all the while retaining the semblance of normality this is not essential for an arena stage, where the unreality of the situation is accepted by the audience from the start. The denouement is usually explosive, and you leave the theatre emotionally drained.

I read the play, then watched the BBC adaptation… you have to see it performed to appreciate the power packed into ninety minutes of stage-time.

Gerald is also present. It is the pre-World War I era, and Birling is acutely consciousness of his social backwardness-something he is trying hard to rectify through his financial and political clout.

He has been rather successful as he hints to Gerald, because a knighthood is on the way. Into this haven of bourgeois comfort and security walks in Inspector Goole, unannounced, and goes about destroying it piece by piece. He is apparently there to conduct an enquiry into the suicide of a girl, Eva Smith, who has been admitted into the infirmary after drinking disinfectant.

Goole, however, goes about his business ruthlessly and ultimately succeeds in grinding them down, one by one. It comes out that the girl has been mistreated by all of them.

This last revelation leads to Sheila breaking off her engagement, and Gerald goes out to be alone for a while.

Inspector Goole establishes that a couple of weeks before, Eva Smith had approached Mrs. Birling in her capacity of the chairman of a charitable society. She was pregnant and in desperate need of assistance. Initially she had lied that she was a married woman and that her name was Birling!

Eva did not want to approach her lover because he was an immature boy who is an alcoholic and had stolen money to support her. However much the inspector bullies her, Mrs.

Birling is adamant — now that the woman has committed suicide, her lover must be dealt with very severely. Then Goole drops his final bomb: the culprit is none other than Eric, her son, an accusation which the young man accepts. The family is in a total shambles now: a son who has committed adultery and theft, a daughter whose engagement has ended the same day it started and a father in the hope of a knighthood, faced with public scandal and disgrace. It is at this point that the inspector begins to behave very peculiarly.

After rubbing in the fact that they all have got blood on their hands, he makes this speech and leaves. One Eva Smith has gone… but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think and say and do.

We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when if men do not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish.

Good night. It is into the situation that Gerald comes back, and he comes with some welcome information — he has just confirmed that there is no Inspector Goole in the police department!

With cold logic, he establishes that they have no reason to believe that the girl in each of the incidents mentioned by Goole is the same one — true, he produced a photograph, but it was shown to each of them individually. The hoax is confirmed when they call the infirmary and confirm that there has been no suicide that night.

It is time for a pat on the back for Gerald, a sigh of relief from Mrs. And Mr. Birling, and a jolly round of drinks. It is from the infirmary. A girl has just died on the way there after drinking disinfectant, and a policeman is on the way to question them… and the curtain descends. Only when we encounter the conversation again can we understand its depth, and how cleverly it is constructed.

The story takes off smoothly from a drawing room farce to a darkly philosophical tragicomedy, which is sure to draw the viewers into the middle of it without them noticing: and to leave them drained at the end. Highly recommended. View all 3 comments. Mar 05, Connie G rated it really liked it Shelves: play , england , one-day , classic. Set in , Arthur Birling, a wealthy factory owner, is celebrating his daughter's engagement to the son of another industrialist.

The celebration is interrupted by Inspector Goole who is conducting an investigation of the suicide of a working class woman. As the Inspector questions the family members in the dining room, it becomes obvious that each person had a connection to the young woman and had treated her "An Inspector Calls" has themes of responsibility, class structure, and social duty. As the Inspector questions the family members in the dining room, it becomes obvious that each person had a connection to the young woman and had treated her badly.

A chain of events led to her despair. The drama is thought-provoking with interesting psychological profiles and a strong moral message. Written soon after the conclusion of World War II in , during a difficult economic time in Great Britain, it also has political and social interpretations. The play has been performed on stage, adapted to film, and performed on radio and television.

It is also a popular text for study in British schools. Mar 15, Amber rated it did not like it Recommends it for: no-one. Includes spoilers. This is such an awful play. I'm going to try and make something coherent out of this rant, and I'm sorry if it's long-winded, but I guarantee you that it will be more interesting than the entirety of all three acts. Ok, so let's start. The play opens up in an upper class English household in Just in case you couldn't tell, Priestly drops hints about it for the entire scene, including references to the titanic - which, incidentally, hasn't sunk yet - of course, Birling stil Includes spoilers.

Just in case you couldn't tell, Priestly drops hints about it for the entire scene, including references to the titanic - which, incidentally, hasn't sunk yet - of course, Birling still knows enough detail about it to grace his family with, and a reference to the great war leaves a sort of horrendously botched attempt at exposition trust me, I'm only just getting started. Both the titanic and the war are then dismissed by Birling, just in case we can't see Priestly's plastering of his overstated character.

It's so lazy and unsubtle, like, are you even trying here? Did you even think about what Birling was going to say before you opened his mouth? Blah blah blah, everyone is a caricature of themselves, it's obvious the fiance is cheating on Shelia from page 3, then after all this bumbling around with the characters saying nothing useful to the plot at all, the inspector arrives.

Couldn't the play just have started here? Blah blah blah, more exposition, the young female character is the reasonably morally apt family member and yet still manages to be the most un-feminist character ever - and then we finally start getting into the actual story. And let me be perfectly clear when I say that Priestly holds back nothing. It'll just be presented to you, straight up and down style. And then we have Eric, who started out as the only reasonably amusing character and turned out to be a rapist.

Good one, Priestly. Try on all the cliches you want. Also: Why do all the characters react the same way to Eva's death? Why is no-one concerned at the end by the strange and completely unexplained inspector's appearance in the first place? Probably because, like everything else in the play, Priestly only thought about it for around thirty seconds without considering development, much like the entire plot layout or any of the characters.

Practically, it's pretty badly set out, too. Priestly obviously has never studied the work of Chekhov, otherwise he would know that if you have to tell the audience how a character says a line, the line isn't good enough. I mean, come on! My question is: What is the point of this play? Is there any conclusion reached that we couldn't have gleamed from the first one-dimensional rant from Birling about how great capitalism is?

We all disagree with their stance on life which is never even vaguely concealed at all , so unless they were going to do something dramatic, why have the play take place at all?

Priestly seems to write with a paint-roller- indelicately, and probably should have thought the play through before just throwing all of it over the page. Don't read this play. If you value good characters, a well developed plot and some semblance of closure or well timed endings to your literature, just avoid this play.

Don't waste your life on it. With its tightly wound and didactic plot 'An Inspector Calls' is among the finer examples of the play world. While not as fanciful or elaborate as some of the greatest works by masters such as Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde in his style Priestly manages to pull off what he must.

It is in fact the simplicity of his work that creates such an appeal, because it touches more at the heart of humanity and society. The narrative of the play delves around a mysterious Inspector who interrupts the celebratio With its tightly wound and didactic plot 'An Inspector Calls' is among the finer examples of the play world.

The narrative of the play delves around a mysterious Inspector who interrupts the celebration of a respectable British family. It turns out he's arrived to question the family about a girl who just committed suicide and has reason to believe certain family members may know why she did so. What happens next is unbelievably clever and at the same time highly improbable. Yet the point of the play is revealed to be a masterpiece in causing the audience to reflect upon how their interactions with fellow humans could have serious repercussions.

I was astounded by this play in a positive way. It had a good plot, some potent messages and a nice little twist in the end designed to haunt the audience after the curtain descends. Still when compared to works such as The Crucible it came up a little short. It lacks the flowery, elegant style of similar plays preferring to be neater and more clinical. Which at times can cause characters to appear almost robotic and stiff.

No doubt when performed this play would rise to another level. I fully encourage that anyone interested in plays and classics read this. Or at the least watch a play or televised version. It truly is worth sinking your teeth into.

If not for the tight, clever and thought-provoking plot instead enjoy it for the very fact that it will leave you with perplexing question. And any work which haunts the reader afterward in a pleasant way deserves to be read and enjoyed in futures to come. View all 4 comments. Mar 26, Jayanth - A Capricious Reader rated it it was amazing.

One of the best crime detective story ever written, period. The story crafting in this play has got to be one of best ever, it had such an intense effect on me. The thrill and ominous tension had me on the edge of the seat even though I've already seen the TV movie adaptation. It speaks volumes about the play itself. I love books and movies set in confined space and where there is a lot of dialogue between characters.

This play is set in a single room, a family is celebrating an engagement a One of the best crime detective story ever written, period. This play is set in a single room, a family is celebrating an engagement and an inspector calls at their door. That's all you need to know to get into the book. The characters themselves are an achievement of their own. This play will set the reader thinking, introspecting and retrospecting their lives. In a world where the human society is so closely connected such as this, is it not far from truth to say that our every action has consequences that ripple through not just one's own life but through every life connected to it, no matter by how fine a thread?

This book is sort of a detective story that has an underlying structure that parallels the concept of the butterfly effect, or the chaos theory. It is quite a fascinating subject to think and research about. I hope more people read this play, it is such an incredible piece of work. Do yourself a favor and listen to BBC radio's dramatised version of it. Seriously it's just so good how it gets revealed in the end.

View 1 comment. Apr 19, MacK rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites , brit-lit , mr-macks-syllabus , dramas. Searching desperately for a fall play to direct, I was handed this brilliant bit of writing, and fell hard and fast. It's like when you first see a television show that immediatly hooks you. Taut, concise writing that holds you in the moment and a twisting plot line that leaves you guessing until the very end.

It's shocking that this book is largely ignored by Americans witness the fact that only a few more than 50 people have reviewed it here on "goodreads".

Perhaps the setting and tone lend it Searching desperately for a fall play to direct, I was handed this brilliant bit of writing, and fell hard and fast. Perhaps the setting and tone lend it to commonwealth readers more than we ex-colonials.

But the themes of hubris, responsibility and the place of the individual within society are critical to modern Americans, just as they were to postwar Brits, just as they were to the aristocracy at the beginning of the 20th century.

Directing the recent production gave me great respect for Priestly, the humor, the sincerity, the ingeneous weaving of story lines held me, an international cast, and a pack of high school students who actually stormed into the final showing some to watch it for a third time.

Would that it was all my doing Jul 30, Thebooktrail rated it it was amazing Shelves: book-set-in-a-house. I'm rereading all the books I've loved from my school days at the moment. This book is still studied in schools I think and I'm not surprised as there's so much discussion to come from it. A lot of questions you can ask yourself, about yourself and how you treat others. It's very apt in this modern day too which is why I think it's stood the test of time.

An inspector arrives unannounced at a society house. A girl has committed suicide and he talks to the family one by one, but in the same claust I'm rereading all the books I've loved from my school days at the moment.

A girl has committed suicide and he talks to the family one by one, but in the same claustrophobic room, to find out what happened to her and why. Oh when the story unravels and we see how each member of the family have secrets about this girl to spill, then this is like watching lambs to the slaughter.

It will also make you think about yourself and how you interact in the world. Every action has consequences - seeing these characters interactions crash into each other, smack them in the face and then pull the rug from under the only one standing, it's delicious to see. That ending! I could waffle on about this for ages which was good then as it got my word count up hehe Recommended - book, stage play, two TV adaptations I've read and seen them all.

I am here to tell you that is not the case. Priestley, take responsibility for your dreadful creation. I kinda liked it though. View 2 comments. May 31, Steven rated it it was amazing Shelves: british , favorites , seen-plays , plays , crime. Excellent supernatural socialist morality play. This was suuuuuuper good.

Oct 03, Lesle rated it liked it Shelves: read-in , 2-kindle. A great and thrilling play could have easily been a Christie play! Jul 13, Goddess Of Blah rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites , books-i-ve-re-read-more-than-once. I first read this play when I was I didn't understand all the socio-economic and political issues until I was It was during this period that I became a confirmed socialist or rather left leaning in my politics.

When I first read the play - I remember a few classmates being confused that one family encountered the same girl, which went beyond coincidence - far too contrived. This is NOT the case - that's just a twist - if you had assumed that than you'll not be able to sympathise with Ev I first read this play when I was The play intends to illustrates the inequality between the classes, and how dangerous this inequitable situation is if there are no safeguards.

Prior to Clement Atlee's government, there was no Welfare State. Poor single women who became pregnant were abandoned. Women were also too frightened to report incidents of rape if committed by a member of the "respectable" class. There was no NHS, hence healthcare was the luxury of the privileged classes prior to the NHS child mortality rates were obscene. The play conveys the vulnerability of women such as Eva. We see how Sheila a middleclass wealthy girl uses her wealth to intimidate a shopkeeper into sacking Eva over a whim.

This action demonstrates the lack of employment laws and the necessity to enforce these laws. Synopsis: The play is a three-act drama, which takes place on a single night in , focusing on the prosperous middle-class Birling family, who live in a comfortable home in Brumley, "an industrial city in the north Midlands". The family is visited by a man calling himself Inspector Goole, who questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman, Eva Smith also known as Daisy Renton.

The family are interrogated and revealed to have been responsible for the young woman's exploitation, abandonment and social ruin, effectively leading to her death. Read this for school.

The ending though made it 2 stars! Jan 13, Lyria E. In , J. Priestley premiered in the USSR! Birley is your classic haw-haw self-satisfied Engl In , J.

Birley is your classic haw-haw self-satisfied Englishman of wealth, his wife Sybil is snooty, and their son Eric seems to have some kind of emotional issues.

The doorbell rings and Inspector Goole is announced. Goole interrogates the Birlings and Croft about the suicide of a young woman, and his insistent questioning outrages them but reveals their ugly attitudes and deeds. When WW2 ended, the class structure in England began to change. Voters swept out the Conservatives including Winston Churchill , and supported Labour in a landslide. Priestley was all in favor of that, and An Inspector Calls is at times a heavy-handed and didactic attack on the upper classes and their complacency about income inequality and the suffering of the working class.

As Goole questions each of the Birleys and Croft in turn, regular mystery readers may see each reveal coming.

Despite these criticisms, this BBC radio dramatization is a lot of fun. The actors evoke their roles well. You don't get the pleasure of seeing theater sets, but this production makes it easy to imagine the setting.

Jan 21, Bookish Bethany rated it liked it. I read this to teach. It deals with the themes of capitalism and socialism, the divide between classes that is still so relevant and prominent today.

It functions like a detective story, but also like a modern adaptation of a morality play. The characters work through various vices - pride, greed, lust - but also wilful ignorance. The ending, I do think, is brilliant.

The story is simple and easy to follow. The ideas are important. Aug 17, BrooKe rated it it was amazing. A cleverly crafted masterpiece. I read this years ago for a school assignment and it was the only set text I ever enjoyed reading. It shone a light on so many social issues and it honestly changed me.

It all took place in one single room over the course of one single dinner and I was on the edge of my seat throughout. I have nothing but praise for thi A cleverly crafted masterpiece.

I have nothing but praise for this enlightening, genius work. What is the ending of an Inspector Calls? Published in the book become immediate popular and critical acclaim in plays, classics books.

Yahoo Web Search Yahoo Settings. Sign In. Search query. All Images Videos News. Local Shopping. Anytime Past day Past week Past month. About , search results. Priestley - Ark Alexandra Academy arkalexandra. People also ask. What is the main message of An Inspector Calls? An Inspector Calls deals with themes of class, social change, workers' rights, responsibility, gender and generational differences. Each of the themes is interrelated, building a complex web of meaning in the play.

Priestley's An Inspector Calls. We know so little about his character, nothing really, yet he dominates every shot in which he appears. He is Inspector Poole. He wears a rumpled suit and an enigmatic smile. His eyes are piercing. In conclusion, the role and function of the Inspector in an Inspector Calls is colossal.