An Inspector Calls (AIC) - Context (AO3)

AIC can be described as

a morality tale.

Priestley was a

social commentator, broadcaster, pre-war (WW2) writer and campaigning socialist.

Britain manufactured

everything!

AIC was written in

1945

AIC was set in

1912

Britain was very proud of being

a world power as a result of Queen Victoria's reign (1837 - 1901) and the British Empire.

Unlike the rest of Europe, Britain didn't experience

social unrest, as a result of Queen Victoria.

Significant event of 1912 number 1:

Titanic sank.

Significant event of 1912 number 2:

Robert Scott and his whole expedition died in the coldest winter for 700 years.

The play is set in

Brumley.

Brumley is a

fictional manufacturing town.

The Aristocracy can be described as

landed gentry, cultured, educated, land owners, Dukes, Lords, Nobles.

The aristocracy

inherited titles.

The Upper Class can be described as

wealthy and well connected.

The Middles Class can be described as

professionals (doctors, teachers), not wealthy, University degree required.

The Working Class can be described as

manual workers, servants, involved in manufacturing and mining, ASPIRATIONAL.

There was little social mobility because

it wasn't usually accepted.

Upper classes owned the land but

middles classes started the industries.

Money and class are

two different things.

Socialists believe

that production and trade should belong to the people.

Socialists believe

that wealth should be equal.

Socialists believe

in working for the common goal.

Socialists believe

in the importance of looking after one another.

Capitalists believe

that private companies should own industry for personal profit (not money for the country)

Capitalists believe

that the Government shouldn't control industry and trade.

Priestley travelled England after WW1 to speak to

the working class and find out what was happening (English Journey). He wrote the truth about what he found out.

Women in 1912 could be described as

a sub species, inferior, had to ask for permission, didn't have the right to vote.

All women had the right to vote in the year

1928.

It is referenced in the play that women need to be

recognized.

During the war, paper was rationed and so

radio was Priestley's medium of communication.

Everything is in shortage when the play was written and this influenced

the setting (1) and the costumes (no changes) so that the play was cheap to produce.

In 1917 communists took over Russia and Priestley's play was performed in Russia in 1945, this is

ironic considering the play is about social class.

AIC wasn't performed in Britain until

1946.

The theme of right and wrong will

always be an appropriate theme and therefore the play will always be successful, adding a universal quality to the play.