English

How does Priestley make An Inspector Calls dramatic? Consider the inspector’s revelations, how the characters react and the importance of place in the play.

In ‘An Inspector Calls’ J.B Priestly uses a wide variety of techniques to add drama and interest, this was needed to maintain the audience’s attention throughout the performance.
The first section of the text is a very long and detailed paragraph of stage directions. This sets up the performance by firstly describing the location ‘The dining room of a fairly large suburban house.’ It then continues to go into more detail about the surroundings and the atmosphere they should create. ‘The general effect is substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and home like.’ This amount of detail is necessary because it is needed to reflect the lifestyle and status of the family, who are themselves explained in detail further into the stage direction.
Initially it describes each person’s appearance; Mr Birling is ...