Language (An Inspector Calls)

This section explores the Language used in the play An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley. An Inspector Calls, written by J.B. Priestley, uses language in a powerful way to convey key themes, character dynamics, and social criticism. The play’s language is carefully crafted to explore ideas of social responsibility, class, and morality. Below are some important points about how Priestley uses language in the play, focusing on dialogue, dramatic techniques, symbolism, and the use of irony.

Dialogue and Characterisation

Priestley’s use of dialogue is central to revealing character traits and the social positions of the characters. The way each character speaks reflects their background, beliefs, and moral standing.

Arthur Birling: His speech is often pompous and filled with business jargon, reflecting his capitalist mindset and self-importance. He frequently refers to "hard-headed" business decisions and speaks in a didactic tone, emphasising his belief in individualism. His use of imperatives like "just let me finish" demonstrates his domineering nature and belief in his own authority.

Example: Birling’s confident assertions such as, "The Titanic... unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable," are laced with dramatic irony, highlighting his ignorance and arrogance. His predictions about the future (no war, continued prosperity) are wrong, diminishing his credibility in the eyes of the audience.

Sybil Birling: Her language is formal, precise, and often dismissive, reflecting her social superiority and lack of empathy for those below her in class. She uses euphemisms to avoid uncomfortable truths, such as referring to Eva Smith’s suicide as "a piece of gross impertinence" rather than acknowledging the suffering behind it.

Example: Sybil's insistence that Eva is "a girl of that sort" reflects her prejudiced and classist views. Her language distances herself from any responsibility and reveals her disdain for the working class.

Sheila Birling: Sheila’s language changes significantly throughout the play. At first, she speaks in a playful, naïve manner, using phrases like "I’m sorry, Daddy." As the play progresses, her language becomes more serious and reflective. She uses more direct and questioning language as she begins to grasp the consequences of her actions and challenge her family’s behaviour.

Example: Sheila’s exclamations such as "But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people!" mark a shift in her character as she begins to understand the importance of social responsibility.

Eric Birling: Eric’s speech is often awkward and disjointed, reflecting his insecurity and lack of confidence. His language becomes more emotional and honest as the play progresses, particularly when he confesses his involvement with Eva Smith.

Gerald Croft: Gerald’s language is polished and diplomatic. He tries to avoid conflict by downplaying the seriousness of his actions, using euphemisms and minimising language, such as referring to his affair with Eva as "a little relaxation." This reveals his desire to maintain his social image.

The Inspector’s Language

The language of Inspector Goole is distinct from that of the other characters. His speech is authoritative, direct, and often interrogative. He speaks in short, clipped sentences, creating a sense of urgency and control over the situation. His language is also moralistic, conveying Priestley’s views on social responsibility.

Authority and control: The Inspector uses imperatives like "Stop!" and "Be quiet!" to take command of the situation. His tone is firm and unyielding, contrasting sharply with the evasive language of the Birlings.

Moral language: The Inspector frequently speaks in a manner that conveys moral authority. He uses metaphors and vivid imagery to drive home his points about the importance of caring for others.

Example: In his final speech, the Inspector warns the Birlings (and the audience) that if people do not learn to look after each other, they will be "taught it in fire and blood and anguish." This phrase evokes the horrors of war and social unrest, hinting at the consequences of ignoring social responsibility.

Use of repetition: The Inspector often repeats key phrases for emphasis, such as "Remember that. Never forget it." This reinforces the moral message of the play and ensures the characters (and audience) do not overlook the significance of his words.

Dramatic Irony

Priestley makes extensive use of dramatic irony throughout the play, particularly in the speeches of Arthur Birling. This technique is used to undermine Birling’s confidence and authority, as the audience knows that many of his statements about the future are incorrect.

Birling’s false predictions: Birling’s claims about the future ("there isn’t a chance of war," "the Titanic... unsinkable") are tragically ironic. The audience, watching the play after both world wars and the sinking of the Titanic, knows that these statements are not true, making Birling look foolish and out of touch. This use of dramatic irony also highlights Priestley’s critique of the capitalist, self-assured attitudes of people like Birling.

Symbolism in Language

Priestley uses symbolic language to represent larger ideas in the play.

The name "Eva Smith": The character Eva Smith is symbolic of the working class. Her first name, "Eva," can be linked to "Eve," representing all women. Her surname, "Smith," is a common name, suggesting that she could be anyone, a representative of the millions of working-class people who are mistreated by society. Priestley uses her name to show that the injustices she faces are universal and not unique to her.

Inspector Goole: The name "Goole" sounds like "ghoul," implying that the Inspector may be a supernatural or moral force rather than a real person. His language is often prophetic, particularly in his final speech, where he warns of the "fire and blood and anguish" that will follow if society does not change. This adds a symbolic layer to the character, suggesting that he represents a moral judgement on the Birlings and their actions.

Tone and Register

Priestley varies the tone and register of the characters’ language to reflect their social status and attitudes.

Formal and informal language: Characters like Arthur and Sybil Birling use formal language, reflecting their upper-class status and desire to maintain respectability. They are often concerned with appearances, and their language reflects this. In contrast, the younger characters, Sheila and Eric, use more informal language, particularly when expressing their emotions. This contrast helps to highlight the generational gap and differing attitudes towards social issues.

Colloquial language: The Inspector occasionally uses colloquial expressions, such as "Burnt her inside out, of course," to shock the Birlings and break through their pretensions. This blunt language contrasts with the euphemisms used by the upper-class characters, forcing them to confront the harsh realities of their actions.

Use of Questions

The play is structured around the Inspector’s questioning of the characters. The use of interrogative language is a key technique in the play, as the Inspector’s questions force the characters to reveal their secrets and confront their responsibilities.

Rhetorical questions: The Inspector often uses rhetorical questions to challenge the characters and the audience. For example, he asks, "What happened to her then may have determined what happened to her afterwards, and what happened to her afterwards may have driven her to suicide. A chain of events." This encourages the characters (and the audience) to think about the interconnectedness of their actions.

Evasiveness: Characters like Gerald and Arthur Birling often try to evade the Inspector’s questions, using defensive language or changing the subject. This highlights their reluctance to accept responsibility for their actions and contrasts with Sheila and Eric, who eventually answer the questions more openly.

The language in An Inspector Calls is a crucial tool for J.B. Priestley to explore the play’s key themes of social responsibility, class, and morality. Through dialogue, dramatic irony, symbolism, and the contrasting tones and registers of the characters, Priestley creates a powerful critique of capitalist attitudes and the lack of empathy in the upper classes. The Inspector’s direct and moralistic language serves as the voice of social conscience, while the evasive, pompous language of characters like Arthur and Sybil Birling exposes their flaws and resistance to change.