AN INSPECTOR CALLS

RATIONALE

“An Inspector Calls” is a play by J.B.Priestly which was set in 1912 before World War I but was first performed in 1945. The play is focussed around the Birling family. The story narrows how in one night, life can take an unexpected turn. It begins with the celebration of the engagement between Gerald and Sheila, the daughter of the family, when they received an unexpected visit of Inspector Goole. A young girl called Eva Smith has decided to suicide her own life and he is investigating the reason why it has happened. During the play we can see how without even speaking the inspector, the characters reveal themselves and relate to the tragic life of the victim. Priestley’s main aim was to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions, not to shift the blame on others. However, for my part, my goal is to finish the work with a closed end thus eliminating the possibility of multiple interpretations. Because the story has not a defined end and to achieve my aim, for in this essay I will create an alternate ending taking the role of the author. Then only Mr and Mrs. Birling and Gerald are  worried about their reputation more than Eva Smiths’ death. Eric and Sheila are still in shock.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS – alternative ending

(Knock on the door and one of the maids go to open) –good morning , I'm the police inspector and I’m here for the case of the young girl suicided in nursery.

BIRLING – A while ago came home an inspector who was talking about the same case but then it seemed to be that until then it had not really occurred. I know it seems odd (not quite sure about what to say) but please, can you show us your badge?

INSPECTOR – Here is my badge. Now you tell me on that confusion has happened a while ago.

SHEILA – oh papa, be honest with the inspector. Keep your pride away and tell everything that happened, think on the poor Eva Smith.

BIRLING – (With murderous eye ) Sheila please, obviously we will work with the inspector to find the guilty – (pouring himself a glass of rum) – focusing on what happened, we were held in engagement of Gerald and my daughter Sheila when Goole stormed into the room and press out all the information he needed to relate us to the life of Eva Smith and made us feel guilty. All these without even saying a word… we don’t know how he did it agent, but clearly he is a liar.

GERALD – of course it is a impostor! We do not even know if we're talking about the same woman. (Addressing the inspector) Individually and at different time he showed an Eva Smith’s photo to everyone, but nobody saw others so we can be talking about different people and not know it.

SHEILA – Oh my God! The important thing now is to help the inspector to resolve the actual case. I’ll tell him the facts and we will go out of doubt, he is a professional .

(After a long talk about what happened and a few drinks on Gerald, Birling and Eric)

ERIC – inspector excuse me, I hope my sister has finished her explanation  because I have an idea of ​​who could be the murderer – (swinging on itself).

MRS.BIRLING – honey, we already know your problems with drinking, but was not enough with what you did to that girl? Please do not say vulgarities.

INSPECTOR – let the man speak maybe it’s great his drunkenness.

ERIC – as I took the last drink (trying to vocalize ) I tried to see who was the Inspector Goole. He came here looking statements to incriminate a crime that has not occurred yet. No matter if we talked about the same girl or not, but he made us ​​to feel guilty about something that had not occurred until you came (looking to the new inspector). Now we should know where went Goole after leaving our house because it has the perfect alibi and has us alienated to think that we are guilty.

INSPECTOR – you  think better drunk! I call immediately to police to investigate and see if it is true.

(Mr. Birling tells him where is the phone room but when they are on the way the phone starts ringing. Mr. Birling pick up the phone but quickly passed it to the inspector. His face is more awe as conversation increases)

INSPECTOR – It  was the chief, they  just found the body of Goole, lifeless and with a note. Someone is bringing  the note, it is addressed to you.

(The letter arrives and the inspector reads loudly)

SHEILA – Gerald and Eric were right... this man made ​​us reveal things that had no relation to each other, he has made us feel guilty because his life was a misery and wanted to pay with us and the life of this poor girl. He mistreated her psychologically for months as it did with us one night to vent their fury.

INSPECTOR – thank you very much without you  we couldn’t have linking both cases.

BIRLING – thank you very much (says looking at the rest of the family) now we can all sleep more soundly knowing that we have not been guilty of murder.

( the inspector leaves the house and family celebration ends, logically less animated)