An Inspector Doesn't Call (An Inspector Calls - J.B. Priestley)

Member Name: rory18

Product:	An Inspector Calls - J.B. Priestley
Date:	26/05/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting ideas and opinions

Disadvantages: Boring story

I studied 'An Inspector Calls' for my English GCSE and was quite interested to find out that it was written in 1945 but set in 1912. There was no welfare state in 1912 and so the prupose of this play is to allow J.B Priestley the opportunity to express his opinions of both the economic and social systems of oppression. The idea as well of setting it in 1912 is I think rather clever. The audience is aware of the events that occured after 1912, this allows Priestley to paint the characters, who are optimistic, as buffoons. I think Priestley uses the Titanic as a metaphor for society during 1912. At first the Titanic appears to be big, impressive and a sign of good things to come when in fact it sinks. Thus representing the woeful events to follow 1912. Although the ideas and opinions contained within this play are quite fascinating it still remains that it is in fact quite boring. The story is dull and at points over complicated and nothing really happens apart from people sitting round a table talking. I think Priestley needed to find a better story for expressing his views.

Summary: Only worth reading if there is someone to point out the critical ideas