John Priestley's An Inspector Calls

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"An Inspector Calls" was written by John Priestly in 1945. The play is a three-act drama, which takes place on a single night in April 1912. The play focuses on the prosperous upper middle-class Birling family, who live in the fictional town of Brumley. The family is visited by a man named Inspector Goole. He questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman, Eva Smith or Daisy Renton. The family is interrogated and subsequently blamed or the young woman's exploitation, abandonment and social ruin, effectively leading to her death. Inspector Goole shows no credentials upon entering the Birling home. The Birling family welcomes him into their home with open arms. That is until the inspector says why he is there. The inspector is able to keep up his act the entire time he is present in the home. Only Gerald suspects the inspector is no inspector at all. Inspector Goole was able to question every…show more content…
This play would have a major impact on an american audience because americans view authority differently. Americans refer to inspectors as police officers as well as detectives. In America a police officer has to be allowed into a home unless they have a legal document known as a search warrant. In America an individual is also allowed to refuse answering questions if they would like. Americans expect a police officer to present a badge to validate his/her credentials. Unlike in the play ,Inspector Goole says he is an inspector he is immediately respected and the Birling family complies to his wishes. Inspector Goole behaves as if he is in his own home. The script would also interest an american audience because in America being wealthy does not alienate you from committing crimes. In the play the Birling family behaves as if their wealthiness or status should remove inspector Goole from their home as well as the guilt they are supposed to feel for the suicide committed. (Conclusion
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