Respuesta :
Final Answer:
For the setting of the Birling's house, Priestley describes it as ‘comfortable.’
Explanation:
In J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," the description of the Birling's house as 'comfortable' serves as a subtle but significant insight into the family's social standing and lifestyle. The term 'comfortable' implies a level of affluence and well-being. The Birling family, being of the upper-middle class, resides in a home that provides them with not just the basic necessities but also an added sense of luxury and ease. This choice of words sets the initial tone for the audience, creating an expectation of opulence and perhaps a certain detachment from the struggles faced by the lower classes.
Moreover, the use of the adjective 'comfortable' in this context suggests a deliberate choice by Priestley to highlight the complacency and contentment within the Birling household. The family's comfort may symbolize their insulation from the harsh realities of the outside world. This choice of setting becomes significant as it sets the stage for the unfolding events in the play, where the comfortable facade of the Birling's life is challenged and unraveled by the arrival of the Inspector.
In conclusion, Priestley's description of the Birling's house as 'comfortable' not only conveys their material prosperity but also serves as a narrative device, foreshadowing the upheavals that will disrupt the seemingly idyllic setting.
