Dramatic Techniques
Structure
Cyclical Structure – the play ends where it began with a police officer visiting the
Birlings
Cliff-Hangers - Priestley uses cliff-hangers at the end of each act and begins each
subsequent act where the previous one finished, which helps to maintain tension and
pace
Stagecraft
Dramatic entrances and exits are used to create further suspense. For example,
Sheila dramatically exits the stage when she is shown a photograph of Eva, showing
she is distraught.
Props - The use of photographs is used to great effect. This assumes great
importance at the end of the play when it is suspected he may have been showing a
different photo to each character
Setting - The events of the play take place in the Birlings’ dining room. The single
location of the play may signify the Birlings’ relative isolation and detachment from the
lower classes. It also adds an element of entrapment with the characters seeming
unable to escape the Inspector’s interrogation. The intimate location also creates a
contrast between the private and public spheres of the family.
Sound effects - The sharp sound effect of the doorbell when the Inspector arrives
interrupts Arthur’s speech about the importance of looking after oneself. This
forewarns the audience that his attitude is about to be challenged by the Inspector. A
similar device is used at the end of the play when the telephone rings and interrupts
Birling’s relieved mood and he finds out a police inspector is on his way.
Rising tension - The use of silence and pauses creates tension, as does the fact that
information about Eva and each of the character’s involvement with her is only
gradually revealed to the audience
Dramatic speech and language
Dramatic Irony – this is when the audience know something that a character/
characters on stage do not. Setting the play in 1912 enables Priestley to position the
audience to recognise Birling as an arrogant fool through references to war and the
Titanic. Another example is when the audience have figured out that Eric is the father
of the child but Mrs Birling insists the father is the only one responsible and should be
made an example of.
Moralistic language - The Inspector is the most important voice within the play. He
speaks “carefully” and “weightily” and controls the events and dialogue. As he is used
to developing the plot, much of his speech is filled with questions
and imperatives (“And be quiet for a moment and listen to me. …This girl killed
herself- and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that.
Never forget it.”)
Monologues – there are several relatively long speeches in the play. Both Arthur
Burling and the Inspector have monologues in which they present their particular
political belief systems about capitalism and socialism respectively.
Diction – the language used by Sheila at the beginning of the play is different to that
which she uses later. This demonstrates her growing maturity. An example is the
change from ‘Mummy’ to ‘Mother’.
Symbolism
A prominent symbol is the Titanic. It represents the misplaced arrogant confidence of
the upper classes but also reflects the social structure of society at the time –
particularly the privileges given to those who were richer.
Foreshadowing
Priestley uses foreshadowing on many different occasions in the first act of the play
to hint to the audience what is about to happen. Sheila makes the comment to Gerald:
“…except for all last summer when you never came near me, and I wondered what
had happened to you”. This alludes to Gerald’s affair with Eva/Daisy. Sheila comments
to Eric: “You’re squiffy”, accusing Eric of being drunk. This suggests to the audience
that Eric’s drinking is a fairly constant feature of his behaviour. Birling’s comical
remarks to the family: "don’t get into the police court or start a scandal” suggests a
potential scandal is indeed about to be revealed.