How does Priestly build tension within the play ‘An Inspector Calls?’
How does Priestly build tension within the play ‘An Inspector Calls?’
The tension first begins to build when the inspector first appears and begins to interrogate Mr Birling. “I’d like some information, if you don’t mind Mr Birling.” The family were having a nice family meal when suddenly he appears and ruins the mood. The audience understand this when Mr Birling says “We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you?” Tension is created in this scene because of the change of events. Everybody would still be enjoying themselves if nobody was guilty which leads the audience to enquire who is. Especially after Mr Birling’s speech about how he doesn’t want any trouble because he is looking to get a knighthood.
Priestly builds tension again within the play ‘An inspector calls’ when the audience understand that Gerald is involved with the suicide and that he cheated on his fiancé. “All right. I knew her. Let’s leave it at that.” Gerald’s short, sharp commanding sentences build tension because the audience know that the inspector is listening, whereas Gerald and Sheila do not which builds Dramatic irony, in turn forming tension as Gerald wants to keep information from the Inspector yet the audience know he is listening. Furthermore tension is created because earlier in the play Gerald proposed to Sheila however know she knows he has cheated, therefore their relationship could take a turn for the worse.
Another segment in the play which highlights how Priestly builds tension is the scene where Sheila returns her ring to Gerald. “I think you better take this with you. [She hands him the ring]” This unexpected event written by Priestly produces tension as he had only proposed a few scenes earlier and this rapid decline in their relationship is dramatic. The speed at which it deteriorates establishes tension because of the higher class the Birling family are. Their class determine Gerald’s cheating as
The tension first begins to build when the inspector first appears and begins to interrogate Mr Birling. “I’d like some information, if you don’t mind Mr Birling.” The family were having a nice family meal when suddenly he appears and ruins the mood. The audience understand this when Mr Birling says “We were having a nice little family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you’ve made of it now, haven’t you?” Tension is created in this scene because of the change of events. Everybody would still be enjoying themselves if nobody was guilty which leads the audience to enquire who is. Especially after Mr Birling’s speech about how he doesn’t want any trouble because he is looking to get a knighthood.
Priestly builds tension again within the play ‘An inspector calls’ when the audience understand that Gerald is involved with the suicide and that he cheated on his fiancé. “All right. I knew her. Let’s leave it at that.” Gerald’s short, sharp commanding sentences build tension because the audience know that the inspector is listening, whereas Gerald and Sheila do not which builds Dramatic irony, in turn forming tension as Gerald wants to keep information from the Inspector yet the audience know he is listening. Furthermore tension is created because earlier in the play Gerald proposed to Sheila however know she knows he has cheated, therefore their relationship could take a turn for the worse.
Another segment in the play which highlights how Priestly builds tension is the scene where Sheila returns her ring to Gerald. “I think you better take this with you. [She hands him the ring]” This unexpected event written by Priestly produces tension as he had only proposed a few scenes earlier and this rapid decline in their relationship is dramatic. The speed at which it deteriorates establishes tension because of the higher class the Birling family are. Their class determine Gerald’s cheating as