An Inspector Calls
St Patricks College
2013
‘An Inspector Calls’
Ms. Galvin
Lindsay Kotmel
Classical Literature Major – Due 01/05/2013
AN INSPECTOR CALLS BY J.B PRIESTLEY
Good Evening Reading Group,
I am Lindsay Kotmel and welcome to a seminar on ‘An Inspector Calls’ inclusion within the western canon. Some institutions such as schools, religion and the media determine what is considered ‘truth’ and ‘knowledge’ on a variety of issues, theories and concepts within society. Thus constructions arrived from culture and history as well as the interests of particular groups. As culture changes, so do the concepts of truth and knowledge and therefore the literature that is worthy of the Western Canon. Though a classic contains a universal appeal, it is a snapshot of the era it was written. It presents depth into the era but also transcends this by lasting the test of time. In examining J.B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’, set in 1912, the author challenges the dominant discourse of the time it was set introducing the constructed themes of responsibility, class system and gender within society. He demonises the capitalist way present in the day and privileges the socialist manifesto though character construction. He presents the need for conscience to override society and the importance of welfare, women’s rights and social justice. Matthew Sweet of the UK Independent wrote that ‘An Inspector Calls’ ‘…speaks a truth we can’t ignore…’ and that it was ‘…two hours of conscience stirring drama’ (Sweet 2001). However, to determine if Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ proves worthy enough to become a classic worthy of the Western Canon, many factors must be considered.
J.B Priestley wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1946 to open the minds of his audiences at faults within society. Leaving school at 16, by the age of 20 Priestley was a conscripted soldier in World War I. It would be these experiences of the prelude to and during the Great War that would later heavily influence his
2013
‘An Inspector Calls’
Ms. Galvin
Lindsay Kotmel
Classical Literature Major – Due 01/05/2013
AN INSPECTOR CALLS BY J.B PRIESTLEY
Good Evening Reading Group,
I am Lindsay Kotmel and welcome to a seminar on ‘An Inspector Calls’ inclusion within the western canon. Some institutions such as schools, religion and the media determine what is considered ‘truth’ and ‘knowledge’ on a variety of issues, theories and concepts within society. Thus constructions arrived from culture and history as well as the interests of particular groups. As culture changes, so do the concepts of truth and knowledge and therefore the literature that is worthy of the Western Canon. Though a classic contains a universal appeal, it is a snapshot of the era it was written. It presents depth into the era but also transcends this by lasting the test of time. In examining J.B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’, set in 1912, the author challenges the dominant discourse of the time it was set introducing the constructed themes of responsibility, class system and gender within society. He demonises the capitalist way present in the day and privileges the socialist manifesto though character construction. He presents the need for conscience to override society and the importance of welfare, women’s rights and social justice. Matthew Sweet of the UK Independent wrote that ‘An Inspector Calls’ ‘…speaks a truth we can’t ignore…’ and that it was ‘…two hours of conscience stirring drama’ (Sweet 2001). However, to determine if Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ proves worthy enough to become a classic worthy of the Western Canon, many factors must be considered.
J.B Priestley wrote ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1946 to open the minds of his audiences at faults within society. Leaving school at 16, by the age of 20 Priestley was a conscripted soldier in World War I. It would be these experiences of the prelude to and during the Great War that would later heavily influence his
Bibliography: Priestley J.B. 1945, An Inspector Calls, Heinemann Plays, Melbourne Sweet, M 2001, ‘An Inspector Calls’: It speaks a truth we can’t ignore, The Independent, viewed 21st May