writers method and techniques

• stagecraft

  • The events of the play take place in the Birlings’ dining room:
  • The single location of the play may signify the Birlings’ relative isolation and detachment from the lower classes
  • It also adds an element of entrapment with the characters seeming unable to escape the Inspector’s interrogation 
• stagecraft

  • The intimate location also creates a contrast between the private and public spheres of the family:
  • The revelations exposed are at this point a private family matter, yet the impending visit of the police inspector at the end of the play will threaten to bring events into the public sphere
  • The sharp sound effect of the doorbell when the Inspector arrives interrupts Arthur’s speech about the importance of looking after oneself:
  • This forewarns the audience that his attitude is about to be challenged by the Inspector
• stagecraft

  • The lighting changes from ‘pink and ‘intimate’ to suggest that the Inspector will place the characters under great scrutiny:
  • It may also indicate that the characters will begin to see events with greater clarity and in a new light
  • Priestley uses cliff-hangers at the end of each act and begins each subsequent act where the previous one finished, which helps to maintain tension and pace
  • Dramatic entrances and exits are used to create further suspense:
  • Sheila dramatically exits the stage when she is shown a photograph of Eva, showing she is distraught
• stagecraft

  • Priestley deliberately makes Eric a peripheral character for much of Acts I and II:
  • His repeated absences from the stage are used to delay Eric’s confession until the dramatic final act
  • Priestley deftly creates tension through a variety of methods:
  • The use of silence and pauses
  • Information about Eva and each of the character’s involvement with her is only gradually revealed to the audience
  • The use of photographs is used to great effect:
  • This assumes great importance at the end of the play when it is suspected he may have been showing a different photo to each character
• Moralistic Language

  • The Inspector is the most important voice within the play:
  • He speaks “carefully” and “weightily” and controls the events and dialogue
  • As he is used to developing the plot, much of his speech is filled with questions and imperatives (“And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. …This girl killed herself- and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it.”)
  • He delivers many lengthy monologues