context

An Inspector Calls historical context

The play is set in 1912 and this period saw the decline of the Edwardian era which had been noted for its relative economic stability and social order. It was also a period characterised by significant industrial prosperity in Britain, with rapid advancements in technology. Just two years after the outbreak of World War I, this era was imbued with a sense of optimism and progress, epitomised by the colossal ocean liner the RMS Titanic, which demonstrated the era’s technological advancements.

$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>How this links to the play An Inspector Calls</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Arrogance of the wealthy		$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p>The play illustrates the complacency of the wealthy who are oblivious to the forthcoming political upheavals due to the war in 1914. The sinking of the Titanic, mentioned by Mr Birling, is laden with dramatic irony in order to illustrate his misplaced confidence and arrogance.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 id="73b02f8e-4512-49d3-b9b4-93d35869f89c" data-toc-id="73b02f8e-4512-49d3-b9b4-93d35869f89c" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true"><strong>An Inspector Calls political context</strong></h3><p>Priestley was a staunch advocate for <span><strong><span>Socialism </span></strong></span>and he uses the play to convey the moral failings of <span><strong><span>Capitalism</span></strong></span><strong> </strong>through the privileged Birling family. Additionally, the play addresses the constrained roles and expectations placed on women and the growing political demands for gender equality.</p><h4 id="fe28c8c8-3e42-4222-8789-58d614713421" data-toc-id="fe28c8c8-3e42-4222-8789-58d614713421" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true"><strong>Capitalism and Socialism</strong></h4><ul><li><p>Within the play, two opposing political, economic and social schools of thought are presented:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Capitalism</strong> is presented as a system in which abuse and exploitation of the poor and disadvantaged is inevitable</p></li><li><p><strong>Socialism</strong> is presented as a system which promotes equality and views society as a whole </p></li></ul></li><li><p>In 1912, England was governed by a conservative right-wing government where <strong>Capitalism</strong> was the dominant political ideology of the day:</p><ul><li><p>By 1945, a left-wing government had just been elected which advocated more socialist values and ideals</p></li><li><p>The <span><strong><span>Labour Party </span></strong></span>envisaged a society in which all citizens would be free from the fear of poverty<em> </em></p></li></ul></li><li><p>By setting the play in this period, Priestley aims to show <strong>Capitalism </strong>to be a morally unacceptable political view:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Socialism</strong> emerged in the 1940s in an attempt to find a more humane economic system than <strong>Capitalism</strong></p></li></ul></li><li><p>In 1912, workers had little or no rights and were largely unprotected by unions and a developed <span><strong><span>Welfare State</span></strong></span>, leaving them vulnerable and subject to exploitation:</p><ul><li><p>While social welfare reforms began to evolve in the 1900s in England, it was the introduction of the <strong>Welfare State </strong>in the 1940s that provided much greater protection for the social and economic welfare of citizens </p></li><li><p>World War II had decimated towns and cities in England and issues such as healthcare, housing, education, and employment benefits were viewed as essential policies </p></li><li><p>By 1945, workers’ rights had been marginally improved and <strong>Socialism</strong> is depicted as an instrument of the labour movement, making it more responsive to worker’s needs</p></li></ul></li></ul><table style="min-width: 50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> How this links to the play An Inspector Calls
$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>Socialism</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> The Inspector’s interrogation is used to promote Priestley’s Socialist ideals and to convey the need for a more equitable distribution of wealth and power: the Birling family is presented as abusing their position of power and status to the detriment of poorer characters, like Eva.
$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>Poor working conditions</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Work in industrial factories in 1912 would also have been very difficult and demanding work, often with very poor working conditions: having Eva work in a factory makes her character appear even more sympathetic to the audience. Priestley also illustrates the vulnerability of these workers when Eva is dismissed for her participation in a pay strike and he attempts to convey the importance that all workers should be protected from unfair dismissal.

Gender

In 1912, women were largely seen to be subservient to men and had significantly fewer rights
During this period, the suffragette movement campaigned for gender equality for women:
- It was a time of increasing political agitation for women’s rights

Priestley demonstrates how women, especially working-class women, could be exploited and abused by those with wealth and power

At the beginning of the play, Sheila plays a typical role within her patriarchal society and is obedient to her father:
- This can be contrasted to her behaviour as the play develops and she begins to challenge her father and refuses to take back Gerald’s engagement ring
In contrast, Sheila uses her status to get another woman fired from her position at a time when women were fighting to have greater recognition in the workplace:
- Sheila belongs to a class where women would never be expected to provide for themselves
Unmarried pregnant women would have been heavily ostracised by society in 1912
By 1945, there would still have been significant stigma attached to Eva’s pregnancy

$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>How this links to the play An Inspector Calls</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Treatment of poorer women		$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p>As a woman, Eva would have been viewed as “cheap labour” and therefore more at risk of being exploited and abused by employers because of her gender.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Limited rights of women	$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p>The growing political agitation for gender equality is also evident through the character of Sheila and she can be viewed as a woman attempting to redefine the role of women at a time when women’s rights were being sought.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 id="40bdd1ed-f2a5-4c0a-8c80-61493b106d5d" data-toc-id="40bdd1ed-f2a5-4c0a-8c80-61493b106d5d" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true"><strong>An Inspector Calls social context</strong></h3><p>The play explores the limited social provisions and rigid class structures in early 20th-century Britain. The play critiques the disparities between the wealthy Birling family and the working-class individuals they exploit. </p><h4 id="46e53cbe-2c96-463d-ba0e-17e97af3a5c1" data-toc-id="46e53cbe-2c96-463d-ba0e-17e97af3a5c1" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true"><strong>Social provision</strong></h4><ul><li><p>In 1912, little social provision for the poor meant financial assistance became the responsibility of charities:</p><ul><li><p>Priestley attempts to illustrate how unfair the system was and highlight the need for government intervention</p></li><li><p>Through the Inspector, Priestley argues that members of a society have duties and obligations towards the welfare of others </p></li></ul></li></ul><ul><li><p>In contrast, by 1945 there was a greater desire for social reform:</p><ul><li><p>A series of social welfare policies were introduced between 1945–1951, so that the vulnerable in society would be offered some protection</p></li><li><p>The <span><strong><span>1942 Beveridge Report </span></strong></span>advocated a system of social insurance for every citizen regardless of income which led to, for example, the <span><strong><span>Family Allowances Act 1945 </span></strong></span>and <span><strong><span>National Health Service Act 1946</span></strong></span></p></li></ul></li></ul><table style="min-width: 50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> How this links to the play An Inspector Calls
$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>Social responsibility</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> By setting the play in 1912, Priestley is able to present Eva’s destitution in a bleaker way. If the play had been set in 1945, Eva would have been afforded much more protection under the Welfare State. This further highlights the play’s message of the importance of government intervention and collective and social responsibility.

Class

The hierarchical class system was very dominant in Edwardian society
At the start of the 20th century, British society was broadly divided into three classes — upper, middle class and working class:
- After two World Wars, this system was no longer viewed as the only possible societal structure
- The Great Depression (1929–1939) resulted in economic hardship and mass unemployment throughout the world
- The majority of British people, especially the working class, demanded social change
Priestley is concerned to show the social extremes of the class system:
- The play is set two years before World War I and was written when World War II ended

By 1945, two world wars had dramatically altered views about class

$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>How this links to the play An Inspector Calls</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Abuse of social status	$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p>Priestley shows how Eva is forced to apply to Sybil’s charity for help, which meant that the upper classes could decide who was deserving of their assistance and Priestley uses this to depict the failures of charity in dealing with the problems of poverty. </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Class inequality	$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p>Priestley uses the Birlings and Gerald Croft as representations of the upper classes, and Eva as a representation of the working class, to highlight the immense differences between them and the unfairness of the system.<strong> </strong>The Birlings’ home and lifestyle is sharply contrasted with descriptions of the workers in Arthur’s factory and Eva’s poverty. Both Gerald and Eric abuse their power and status in their relationship with Eva and both men discard her when it suits them. </p></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 id="8e62ed4c-783c-4df7-94df-9583a30042d0" data-toc-id="8e62ed4c-783c-4df7-94df-9583a30042d0" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true"><strong>An Inspector Calls literary context</strong></h3><p>The 1940s witnessed a surge in literature promoting <strong>Socialist </strong>ideals and there was a growing interest in <span><strong><span>realism</span></strong></span> in literature. </p><ul><li><p>An Inspector Calls was published in 1945, a time which saw a significant shift towards <strong>realism </strong>in literature:</p><ul><li><p>Realism attempts to create literature in which the world is presented as it exists</p></li><li><p>Its purpose is to present everyday experiences as they are in real life, even if they are monotonous and mundane</p></li><li><p>Writers sought to portray the harsh realities of life that was heavily influenced by the aftermath of World War I</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The genre of the play is that of social drama, which gained prominence during this period:</p><ul><li><p>Writers used social drama to critique societal norms and advocate for social reform</p></li><li><p>There was a growing interest in themes of social justice, equality and collective responsibility </p></li></ul></li><li><p>The play follows a traditional three-act structure which utilises many conventions of the detective genre, though some have been subverted</p></li><li><p>Priestley incorporates elements of Greek tragedy, particularly the Three Unities: </p><ul><li><p>Unity of Place: the play is set in one location</p></li><li><p>Unity of Time: the events are enacted in real time</p></li><li><p>Unity of Action: the play has only one plot (no sub-plots are included)</p></li></ul></li></ul><table style="min-width: 50px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> How this links to the play An Inspector Calls
$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>Realism</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> An Inspector Calls is a social drama. Priestley was influenced by the growing shift towards realism in literature and uses this to advocate for a more equitable society: his depictions of the realities of poverty, gender inequalities and the abuse of privilege are made more powerful by the descriptions of Eva.
$white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"><p><strong>The detective genre</strong></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px 0.8px; border-image: none 100% / 1 / 0 stretch; --bs-border-opacity: 1; --bs-table-bg: colours.$ white; padding: 0.5rem; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) 0px 0px 0px 9999px inset;"> Priestley also uses elements of the detective genre in the structure of the play so that each act presents the audience with a number of gradual revelations, twists and surprises. This is used to increase tension, create shock and add an element of surprise for audiences.