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  • An Inspector Calls Structure and Language

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    Alex Apter
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    The document discusses various aspects of language, structure, and techniques used in J.B. Priestley's play An Inspector Calls. It notes that the play features lively conversation along with long monologues to vary the pace. Language used reflects the social positions and ages of the characters. Theatrical techniques include only revealing a photograph to one character at a time, ending each act on a moment of tension, and using a circular structure to make the end feel like a new beginning. Tensions in the play include the fragile bonds within the family being exposed and disagreements drawing attention to the play's message about personal and social responsibility. Higher-level analysis involves discussing what characters represent and how their language reflects this.

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    The document discusses various aspects of language, structure, and techniques used in J.B. Priestley's play An Inspector Calls. It notes that the play features lively conversation along with long monologues to vary the pace. Language used reflects the social positions and ages of the characters. Theatrical techniques include only revealing a photograph to one character at a time, ending each act on a moment of tension, and using a circular structure to make the end feel like a new beginning. Tensions in the play include the fragile bonds within the family being exposed and disagreements drawing attention to the play's message about personal and social responsibility. Higher-level analysis involves discussing what characters represent and how their language reflects this.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    1K views9 pages

    An Inspector Calls Structure and Language

    Uploaded by

    Alex Apter
    The document discusses various aspects of language, structure, and techniques used in J.B. Priestley's play An Inspector Calls. It notes that the play features lively conversation along with long monologues to vary the pace. Language used reflects the social positions and ages of the characters. Theatrical techniques include only revealing a photograph to one character at a time, ending each act on a moment of tension, and using a circular structure to make the end feel like a new beginning. Tensions in the play include the fragile bonds within the family being exposed and disagreements drawing attention to the play's message about personal and social responsibility. Higher-level analysis involves discussing what characters represent and how their language reflects this.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 9

    Language and structure

    Language
    Mostly lively conversation, with interruptions, interjections and justifications Priestley varies pace at critical moments with long monologues (e.g two for Birling in Act 1, Sheila in Act 1, Gerald in Act 2) Use language to reflect social position and age (Mr Birling showing how provincial he is by congratulating cook on dinner, continuously going on about his knighthood, Mrs Birlings comments on social class, Eric and Sheila chump and squiffy

    Theatrical techniques
    Handling of the photograph so only seen by one person at a time Each act ends on a moment of tension Circularity making the end another beginning Entrances and exits Lighting Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeSav4Hs6R4

    An Examiners comment 1
    Then the candidate focuses on several language devices (repetition, emotive words, metaphor, personal pronouns and allusion) that occur in the passage and examines the effect of these using evidence and analysis to write critically about the text, looking at language, structure and form.

    An Examiners Comment 2
    There is a strong focus on the question throughout and an awareness of characters as constructs, with Priestley as the playwright. The candidate comments confidently on the way social and historical context has shaped the text and writes in a cogent way.

    Examples of tension

    Tensions
    The bonds of affection that the family claim to possess are easily pulled apart. Family disagreements draw attention to the plays message: that people should take responsibility for themselves and others and be supportive of each other. Highest at the end of the play when we learn the Inspector is coming round again.

    How to get higher grades


    Knowing what characters represent, and how their language reflects this, is a sign of a higher-level candidate. For example, instead of writing that Mr Birling is a greedy and selfish businessman, it is better to write that Mr Birling is used by Priestley to represent the heartless capitalist and that his constant references to money show this.

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