A Play of Contrasts Essay

In this essay I shall discuss the contrasts that stand been utilize in An Inspector Calls. Firstly the contrast, which had stood out the most, was the progress from ignorance to knowledge, this was sh make specifically in Sheila young, pretty and rich Sheila who was show to be very felicitous with her sh ar of the world at the beginning of the play whereas in unforgiving contrast near the end of the play her character has progressed from naively nescient satisfaction to opening of her eyes to the facades and indifferent self-centeredness of the upper classes.For example in Priestleys stage directions Sheila bitterly reacts to birling and Mrs Birlings refusal to remove responsibility for their actions and want to avoid stain and climb up the social ladder. Therefore the contrast of ignorance and knowledge is depicted in Sheila as she realizes her and her familys roles in the suicide of Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton.An another(prenominal) significant contrast shown in the play is t he difference in the midst of the older and jr. generations. The main differences between the old and young is that the older generation of Birlings just want to race their hands of this awkward business, such as following the Inspectors departure Birling discusses sole(prenominal) the possible shame that could rob him of his close certain knighthood but does not reflect on his actions towards Eva Smith.This illustrates that Birling was only gutted about his potentially lost doorway to success and status, furthermore when Sheila accuses Birling of unconcern towards the tragedy and lesson that ought to be learnt Birling is highly self revolve about and talks only of himself- who here will suffer more than I will? Mrs. Birling, playing the role of the obedient and supportive wife, also displays selfish behavior talking about the rude tone the Inspector used this connotes that she is highlighting her superior status to the Inspector, suggesting that he ought to treat her with res pect payable to her class regardless of any unjust acts she had done.This shows that position and socially satisfying behavior was of more importance than morality and virtue to Mrs. Birling. On the other hand the new generation of Birlings, Sheila and Eric, fully acknowledge the effects of their actions and are affected by their parents lack of empathy towards the tragic end of Eva/Daisy, for example Eric angrily burst out that Arthur and Sybil were beginning to pretend that nothing had happened. This demonstrates that Eric was aware that his parents had been dysphoric by Evas death but the once the powerful forepart of the Inspector had gone they had begun to return to their previous bearings.Moreover Sheila supports Erics attitude by eagerly agreeing with him. They both also addresses the collective responsibility of Evas death, for example Sheila says ashamed of us and Eric says we all helped kill her this illustrates that ironically the younger generation was being respons ible and was acknowledging not only their parents wrongdoings but their own also. Thus this demonstrates that the younger generation was more responsible and willing to use up the burden of guilt whereas the older generation was lacking empathy and attempting to avoid scandal by pretending they had no blame.