An Inspector Calls: Community Responsibility

An Inspector Calls: J B Priestley
How does J B Priestley put across the idea of ‘Community Responsibility’, in the play, An Inspector Calls?

The play, An Inspector Calls, was written in 1945, within a week of World War 2 ending, but is set in 1912, before World War 1. J B Priestley wrote this play purposely, as he saw an urgent need for social change, and he used the play, to convey his desire, for social equality. The period between the dates used, is to make us the audience, aware of what has happened, and to learn from mistakes made. Priestley, made the audience, take full notice, of how much wrong, can come from assuming the future. I will be analysing, how J B Priestley put across his idea, of ‘Community Responsibility’.
The play opens, with the celebrations of the family, for the engagement between Gerald Croft and Sheila Birling, in the Birlings’ dining room, in Brumley, 1912. During their party, Inspector Goole arrives, bringing the news of the suicide of a youn...