Priestley, J.B.: 1894-1984
An Inspector Calls, 1945 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Intermediate–Advanced
- Vocabulary – Mostly everyday English, but with some formal and period-specific words (e.g., “prejudiced,” “port,” “impertinent”). Some idiomatic expressions from the 1940s may challenge modern readers.
Sentence structure – Mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional and indirect speech. Some long sentences can require careful reading to follow the meaning.
Themes & Ideas – Moral, social, and political ideas (class, responsibility, capitalism) need higher-level reasoning to fully understand.
Dialogue Style – Written as a play, so much depends on tone, inference, and subtext—reading aloud helps comprehension but adds complexity.
- Vocabulary – Mostly everyday English, but with some formal and period-specific words (e.g., “prejudiced,” “port,” “impertinent”). Some idiomatic expressions from the 1940s may challenge modern readers.
- Understanding the play requires grasping 1940s vocabulary, complex sentences, and deeper social and moral themes.