The idea of social discrimination in "An Inspector Calls"

Introduction

'An Inspector Calls' is a play written by J. B Priestley in 1945. Its genre is a modern detective thriller combined with a medieval morality play. J. B Priestley was an English dramatist who is recognized for writing over 50 plays; An Inspector Calls is one of his most infamous. Many plays that Priestley has written reflect his political views. He was a socialist, and was very concerned with the amount of inequality in Britain at the time.

The idea of social discrimination

Priestley wrote 'An Inspector Calls' with the intention of conveying the idea of social discrimination to the audience through ridiculing and showing the attitude of the capitalist Birling family.

Priestley deliberately set the play in 1912, although it was written in 1945. He did this because in 1912 everything was exceedingly different to the era he was writing it in. When the play was set, there were strong distinctions between gender, class and sex; whereas when the play was written those distinctions had been significantly reduced, mainly because of World War One.

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Priestley wanted to make the most out of those changes in the play, to make people seize the opportunity to build a more caring and equal society. Priestley creates dramatic tension throughout Act One, up until the Inspector arrives. The first few indications of tension are in the first few lines. The first line says, "The dining-room of a fairy large suburban house" The fact that the Birlings live in a suburban house suggests that it is a safe and peaceful place to live; but as we find out, it isn't like that at all, and it may just be a cover up for all the lies and secrets.

Next it says, "The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike" This shows that clearly the Birlings are wealthy and have a materialistic home; but by saying that it is not cosy or homelike it suggests that the Birlings are on edge, and are not all comfortable in each others company. Priestley has successfully given the audience an indication that there is something not quite right so early on in the play. The stage directions on the first page designate that there is more tension being built up.

"The lighting should be pink and intimate until the Inspector arrives, and then it should be brighter and harder"; this use of lighting is vastly symbolic. It says that firstly the lighting should be pink and intimate, which suggests that the atmosphere of the room in which the Birlings are situated is quite comfortable, relaxed and happy. Although, the audience may have already picked up on the tension; and so think that there is a possibility that the characters are looking through 'rose tinted glasses', as if to say they are pretending everything is fine, and covering up the truth.

This idea is confirmed when is says the lighting should be brighter and harder when the Inspector arrives. This gives the impression that the Inspector is a character which may reveal the truth and uncover the lies like a symbol for Priestley's socialist views. The stage directions also say, "The four Birlings and Gerald are seated at the table, with Arthur Birling at one end, his wife at the other, Eric downstage, and Shelia and Gerald seated upstage" This is an example of proxemics; which is where the characters are situated on stage, and the distance in-between them.

The using of Proxemics

Proxemics are used to symbolise the physical relationship between the family as a reminder of their demise. By saying that the wife and husband are seated at opposite ends of the table it adds tension because of the distance in-between them. The most evident thing about these stage directions is that Eric is said to be 'downstage' and so he is separate from the rest of the family. The description of the characters costumes gives a lot away.

The stage directions say, "All five are in evening dresses of the period, the men are in tails and white ties" This implies a sense of formality within the family, which again makes the setting less home-like and comfortable; suggesting that the characters may all be very distant from each other. It also suggests how wealth can make people feel uncomfortable and is another physical reminder that materialism does not bring happiness. The very first thing Mr Birling says suggests that he is trying very hard to impress Gerald, in quite an embarrassing way.

"You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it's exactly the same port your father gets from him". You can tell by what Mr Birling says here, that he is extremely interested in getting on Gerald's good side. As if rather than celebrating the engagement of Gerald and Mr Birlings daughter, Sheila, he is celebrating the merge of Mr Birlings and Gerald's fathers businesses, which shows what a selfish character Mr Birling is.

This also creates tension because it is plainly obvious that not all the family are enjoying the celebration for the same or right reason. The distinction of social class and inequality is shown when Mr Birling says, "Well, well - this is very nice. Very nice. Good dinner too, Sybil. Tell cook from me". The cook is clearly from a lower class yet Mr Birling is telling his wife to thank him for the dinner; this seems normal and polite in present day but remembering that the play is set in 1912, it would have been exceptionally unusual.