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How Does Priestley Present The Character Of Eric And Mr Birling

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How does J.B. Priestley illustrate the characters of Eric and Mrs Birling using language, form and structure in the play An Inspector Calls?

John Boynton Priestley was an English author, dramatist, screenwriter, broadcaster, and social critic who lived from 13 September 1894 to 14 August 1984. Priestley's first great hit was The Good Companions (1929), a book that won him the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction and established him as a national personality. Angel Pavement (1930), his second work, cemented his reputation as a renowned author. However, other critics were critical of his writing, and Priestley threatened to sue Graham Greene for what he considered to be a malicious portrayal of him in the novel Stamboul Train (1932). …show more content…

Priestley drama "An Inspector Calls" uses language, form, and structure to create the characters of Eric and Mrs Birling. By developing these characters, Priestley hopes to address the social and moral challenges of the era in which the play is situated as well as the effects of people's choices on society.

Eric, the rich Birling family's kid, is portrayed by Priestley as troubled and disobedient throughout the play. Through his speech and deeds, Eric's character is revealed, revealing his battles with alcoholism and sentiments of dissatisfaction with his privileged background. Eric is described on stage as "nervously pouring himself out a drink," by Priestley His dependence on alcohol as a coping strategy is shown in (Act One).

Also, Eric's language choices indicate his weakness and uncertainty. “I don't see why she should have been fired just because she sought to get a little more money”, Eric remarks in Act One. Eric's sympathy for the working class is evident in this statement, as is his developing dissatisfaction with his family's insensitive treatment of others. By using the word "little," Eric also alludes to his dissatisfaction with his lack of influence over his family's …show more content…

Priestley builds her character via words and deeds, emphasising her contempt for the working class and her commitment to upholding societal systems. For instance, Mrs Birling's classist attitude is made clear when she refers to Eva Smith as "girls of that class" in Act Two.

The language used by Mrs Birling reflects her haughtiness and attitude of entitlement. She states in Act Two, "I consider I did my duty", suggesting that her conduct is above reproach and that she is not accountable for the results of her decisions. This sentence also reflects Mrs Birling's perspective on the value of personal accountability, a theme throughout the entire play.

Priestley uses the play's framework to flesh out Mrs Birling's personality.
There is tension and anticipation since Mrs Birling is the Inspector's final suspect to be questioned in Act 2. Due to the fact that Mrs Birling is the only character who refuses to accept responsibility for her acts, this structure also emphasizes Mrs Birling's significance to the play's

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