AIC Context

• Written in 1945
• Performed in 1945
• Set in 1912

J.B Priestley

The writer of An Inspector Calls.

• Born in Bradford
• Left school to work as a clerk at a wool firm
• Fought in the WW1 - was wounded and survived
• Studied at Cambridge University
• Presented a radio programme, but it was cancelled as the government decided that his views were too left-wing and socialist
• Founded various socialist organisations
• Died in 1984

The Message

• It’s about society and class divides
• Priestley asks the audience to unite and improve society
• He encourages socialism
• Warns the audience of what lies ahead if people didn’t learn from past mistakes

Dramatic Irony

‘The Titanic… unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’ - Mr Birling

• Titanic set sail in 1912 and sank the same year

• Well known tragedy

‘there isn’t a chance of war’, ‘The German’s don’t want war’ - Mr Birling

• WW1 - 1914-1918

• WW2 - 1939-1945

‘1940… a time of peace and prosperity’ - Mr Birling

• WW2 had begun a year before 1940

‘taught it in fire and blood and anguish’ - Inspector

• In reference to both wars and how people suffered after

Misogyny in 1912

Women:

• Couldn’t vote

• Were treated badly by their husbands e.g physical and verbal abuse

• Were not paid as much as men

Young Generation vs Older Generation

• Young people’s views were beginning to differ from their parent’s in 1945
• There was a clear divide between the two due to difference in views
• The older generation began to be seen as traditional - young people started to acquire more socialist views
• Difference in views may have been due to the rise of television and therefore media