An Inspector Calls Guilt Analysis

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How does Priestley develop the theme of guilt in An Inspector Calls? Priestley develops the theme of guilt throughout the play ‘An Inspector Calls’. He does this in many different way; one of those being the way the characters are portrayed. In particular the Inspector, he makes ‘quite an impression’ on the family by enquiring each one of them about their contribution to Eva Smiths suicide. Priestley uses the Inspector to attempt to shame the characters into accepting responsibility for their actions and to feel guilty for their wrong doings. Priestley uses dramatic devices to develop the theme of guilt, as the lighting highlights the mood of the characters throughout the play. At the start of the play the family are in high spirits and the atmosphere is extremely cheerful as they are celebrating Sheila and Gerald’s engagement. The language used by Mrs Birling when she says, ‘Our congratulations and very best wishes!’ indicates that she is very happy and pleased with the nights occurrences. However atmosphere completely contrasts from excitement and joy to the feeling of guilt and sorrow…show more content…
He soon changes his tune once he discovers that the Inspector was a fake and quickly acquits himself from all responsibility. Gerald does everything he can to prove the inspector was not real and that Eva Smith is not dead as he even questions the whole situation by saying, ‘How do we know any girl killed herself today’. By trying to think of a way out of his guilt; he does not accept what he has done and soon lets himself off the hook. This shows that Gerald is reluctant to face up to his guilt therefore putting him in the middle of the two
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