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

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.