Context in AIC

Context points

• Classism
• Politics
• Midlands, 1912
• Post War Society, 1945
• Social Inequality
• Priestley

Classism

During the time-period the play is set in, society grouped people based off their social status and how wealthy they were, with the labels being; Upper, Middle and Working Class.

• @@The Upper Class@@ had the most money and status within society, with people from this class being born into families who owned land and properties, vs gaining wealth by running a business - e.g. Gerald Croft.
• @@The Middle Class@@ were people who were well educated & earned their money and status through wealthy professions/running businesses, e.g. The Birlings.
• @@The Working Class@@ were the poorest members of society, working for others for low wages - this included the unemployed as they still needed to work to survive, e.g. Eva Smith/Daisy Renton

Politics

Priestley’s political views played a key role in shaping the play, its characters and the presentation of political messages within the play.

Midlands, 1912

Post-War Society, 1945

Social Inequality

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Priestley

Priestley was born in Yorkshire, 1894. His mother died shortly after his birth due to complications of childbirth, which lead fo his father remarrying when he was a young child. Priestley left school at 16 and went off to work to gain practical experience, instead of going off to university, which lead to him becoming a junior clerk during the day - writing at night, with his articles being published in newspapers nearby & in London.