AIC- context

• When was 'An Inspector Calls' first performed?


  In 1945
• Why was 'An Inspector Calls' first performed in Russia?


  Because it was impossible to find a theatre to host it at short notice
• Where did 'An Inspector Calls' reach London?


  At the New Theatre
• What genre does 'An Inspector Calls' fit into?


  It fits the trend of detective thriller and serious drama
• How did the play's popularity change after the 1960s?


  It fell out of fashion due to the rise of Social Realist Theatre
• What is a key theme in 'An Inspector Calls'?


  Criticism of Capitalism and middle-class hypocrisy
• Who is the author of 'An Inspector Calls'?

  1. B. Priestley
• When was J.B. Priestley born?


  In 1894
• What influenced Priestley's writing?


  Yorkshire's culture and the poverty he witnessed
• What was Priestley's first job after leaving school?


  Junior clerk at a wool firm
• How did Priestley's upbringing influence his values?


  He was raised with Socialist values
• How did Priestley's war experiences affect his views on social inequality?


  They made him realize the consequences of social inequality
• What did Priestley do during World War Two?


  He became a radio broadcaster for the BBC
• What was the purpose of Priestley's 'Postscripts' show?


  To give personal reflections on wartime conditions and boost morale
• What political party did Priestley co-found?


  The Common Wealth Party
• What key theme did Priestley explore in his work?


  Responsibility of the individual and the collective
• How does 'An Inspector Calls' reflect Victorian values?


  It demonstrates the destructive impact of Victorian values
• What was the Victorian view of charity?

  Charity was seen as a reward for the 'deserving poor'
• What did the Victorians believe about the 'deserving poor'?


  They had to be judged for their worth
• How were 'fallen women' viewed in Victorian society?


  They were condemned and ostracised
• What hypocrisy is evident in the treatment of 'fallen women'?


  Men who helped them were celebrated while women were punished
• What did Victorian society believe about hierarchy?


  It was determined by age, gender, wealth, and heritage
• What was a side effect of Victorian repression?

  Hypocrisy
• How did the World Wars impact the class system in Britain?


  They dismantled the class system
• What was a common attitude towards the First World War when it began?


  Optimism and enthusiasm
• What are the key contextual elements surrounding 'An Inspector Calls'?

  • Written by J.B. Priestley
  • First performed in 1945 in Russia
  • Explores themes of social responsibility and class inequality
  • Influenced by Victorian values and the impact of the World Wars
• What are the main influences on J.B. Priestley's writing?


  • Yorkshire's culture and poverty
  • Socialist upbringing and values
  • Experiences in World War One
  • Critique of capitalism and class hypocrisy
• What are the characteristics of Victorian charity as depicted in 'An Inspector Calls'?


  • Judgement of the 'deserving poor'
  • Emphasis on moral superiority of givers
  • Workhouses for the poor
  • Expectation of self-help from the impoverished
• How does 'An Inspector Calls' critique Victorian society?


  • Highlights hypocrisy in treatment of 'fallen women'
  • Critiques strict social hierarchies
  • Questions the morality of charity and philanthropy
  • Examines the consequences of social inequality
• What were the effects of the World Wars on British society?


  • Dismantling of the class system
  • Shared experiences of war among all classes
  • Changes in attitudes towards social responsibility
  • Impact on political landscape and welfare state formation
• What common experiences did everyone face during the war, regardless of wealth?

  Blackouts, bombing raids, rations, and fears
• How did wealth affect individuals during the war?


  Wealth meant little when the country was at war
• What was the impact of conscription during the war?


  Every man, regardless of class, was forced to fight
• What did many rich families lose during the war?


  Fathers, brothers, sons, and wealth
• How did the war affect the class system?

  There were fewer upper class people altogether
• What were the initial attitudes towards the First World War in Britain?


  • Optimism and enthusiasm
  • Many volunteered to enlist
  • Belief that the war would be 'Over By Christmas'
• What was a common saying about the First World War?

  'Over By Christmas'
• What happened to attitudes towards the war as it progressed?


  Attitudes began to change due to large massacres and dire conditions
• What was the significance of the Battle of The Somme?


  It was a large massacre that shook people's attitudes towards the war
• What new horrors were introduced during the First World War?


  Gas attacks and mechanized warfare