An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley :: English Literature

An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley Introduction My aim is to explain a key scene from the play ‘An Inspector Calls’, how it might be staged and to explain the role of my chosen character Mr Birling in this part of the play. This is the key scene: Birling (solemnly) But this is point. I don’t want to lecture you two young fellows again. But what so many of you don’t seem to understand now, when things are so much easier, is that a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has one – and so long as he does that he won’t come to much harm. But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think that everyone has to look after everyone else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters –and I’ve learned in the good hard school of experience – that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and – (We hear the sharp ring of the front door bell. Birling stops to listen.) Eric Somebody at the front door. Birling Edna’ll answer it. Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then we’ll join the ladies. That’ll stop me giving you good advice. Eric Yes, you’ve piled it on a bit tonight Father. Birling Special occasion. And feeling contented, for once, I wanted you to have the benefit of my experience. (EDNA enters.) Edna Please, sir, an inspector’s called. Birling An inspector? What kind of inspector? Edna A police inspector. He says his name’s Inspector Goole. Birling Don’t know him. Does he want to see me? Edna Yes, sir. He says it’s important. Birling All right, Edna. Show him in here. Give us some more light. (EDNA does, then goes out.) I’m still on the Bench. It may be something about a warrant. Gerald (lightly) Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (Nodding confidentially to Birling) And that would be awkward, wouldn’t it? Birling (humorously) Very. Eric (who is uneasy, sharply) Here, what do you mean? Birling (lightly) Only something we were talking about when you were out. A joke really. Eric (still uneasy) Well, I don’t think it’s very funny. Birling (sharply, staring at him) What’s the matter with you? Eric (defiantly) Nothing. Edna (opening door, and announcing) Inspector Goole. (The INSPECTOR enters, and Edna goes, closing the door after her. The INSPECTOR need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period. An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley :: English Literature An Inspector Calls - J. B. Priestley Introduction My aim is to explain a key scene from the play ‘An Inspector Calls’, how it might be staged and to explain the role of my chosen character Mr Birling in this part of the play. This is the key scene: Birling (solemnly) But this is point. I don’t want to lecture you two young fellows again. But what so many of you don’t seem to understand now, when things are so much easier, is that a man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course, when he has one – and so long as he does that he won’t come to much harm. But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think that everyone has to look after everyone else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters –and I’ve learned in the good hard school of experience – that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and – (We hear the sharp ring of the front door bell. Birling stops to listen.) Eric Somebody at the front door. Birling Edna’ll answer it. Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then we’ll join the ladies. That’ll stop me giving you good advice. Eric Yes, you’ve piled it on a bit tonight Father. Birling Special occasion. And feeling contented, for once, I wanted you to have the benefit of my experience. (EDNA enters.) Edna Please, sir, an inspector’s called. Birling An inspector? What kind of inspector? Edna A police inspector. He says his name’s Inspector Goole. Birling Don’t know him. Does he want to see me? Edna Yes, sir. He says it’s important. Birling All right, Edna. Show him in here. Give us some more light. (EDNA does, then goes out.) I’m still on the Bench. It may be something about a warrant. Gerald (lightly) Sure to be. Unless Eric’s been up to something. (Nodding confidentially to Birling) And that would be awkward, wouldn’t it? Birling (humorously) Very. Eric (who is uneasy, sharply) Here, what do you mean? Birling (lightly) Only something we were talking about when you were out. A joke really. Eric (still uneasy) Well, I don’t think it’s very funny. Birling (sharply, staring at him) What’s the matter with you? Eric (defiantly) Nothing. Edna (opening door, and announcing) Inspector Goole. (The INSPECTOR enters, and Edna goes, closing the door after her. The INSPECTOR need not be a big man but he creates at once an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness. He is a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain darkish suit of the period.