The Inspectors character Essay Example for Free

The Inspectors character Essay In the stage diagram I have tried to show this, and all the movements of the characters. I thought from the actual text of the play, and in the way the plays stage directions are written, that the Inspector is trying to ease into the room so not focus attention on to himself, so it is a surprise for the characters and they dont notice hes there and carry on talking. As far as I can see Gerald is trying to persuade Sheila into believing him, and Sheila is listening, so Gerald is walking forward and Sheila walking backwards. Later in the dialogue Sheilas character becomes more dominating telling Gerald that its not worth it and puts pressure on Gerald. At this point the movements would be reversed Sheila walking forward in control and Gerald retreating away. When the Inspector says Well they turn round to face him; I did this to emphasise the characters shock at the entrance. The Inspectors character will come in slowly. Like Priestlys original stage directions the door will open slowly revealing the Inspector standing in shadow. He will say, Well just as Sheila finishes her dialogue. Then again at the beginning of Act Two he will move forwards and say well. The Inspector will move towards the characters keeping eye contact with Gerald. I think this is a very dramatic entrance and the lighting should reflect this in its dramatic effect. When Gerald and Sheila are talking the lighting should be slightly dim but not dark. As they are talking the lighting should dim until the characters are barely visible. At this point a spotlight should focus on the door at the back of the stage. Then the door should open slowly to show the Inspector in silhouette. He should then say well just as the curtain drops to keep the audience guessing as to who was in the doorway. When the curtain rises again at the beginning of act two the stage should be brightly lit with the door still fully open and the Inspector should be still in shadow until he walks into the light and towards Gerald to say well again. This entrance as a whole has a lot of dramatic impact because it is the Inspector walking in on Gerald admitting to Sheila about Eva Smith or Daisy Renton. In that sense it is also a key point in the play as another person is confessing and another piece of the puzzle of Eva Smith is put into place. The dialogue just before, and immediately after emphasises the dramatic impact of this entrance. After having this conversation with Sheila, Gerald says You dont, neither of us does. So for gods sake dont say anything to the Inspector. To the audience this seems ironic, because Gerald is trying to keep something away from the Inspector, that the Inspector already knows. Later on Sheila says, (rather hysterically) Why you fool he knows. Of course he knows and I hate to think how much he knows that we dont yet. Youll see youll see. This again makes an impact because Sheila is telling Gerald that hes not going to be able to keep anything away from the Inspector and showing him where things stand. Gerald is hoping the Inspector doesnt know anything and hasnt realised, but Sheila has understood he knows and is pulling him back down to earth. This is reflected in the stage directions, which say, she looks at him almost in triumph. He looks crushed. Another sentence that adds enormously to the dramatic impact of this entrance is when the Inspector says well? at the end of Act One and beginning of Act Two. This adds to the dramatic tension because it is the introduction of the Inspector to this scene, and because Geralds secret has been heard, or has it? The audience isnt sure whether the Inspector heard what was said or how long he has been standing there. The audiences attention has been on Gerald and Sheilas conversation so they have no idea about the Inspector this adds more tension. At the beginning of Act Two the Inspector says Well? again but this time it seems more directed as if now he is talking to Gerald personally.