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. 
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Arrogance of the wealthy,

  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.
• An Inspector Calls political context:

  Priestley was a staunch advocate for Socialism and he uses the play to convey the moral failings of Capitalism 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.
• Capitalism and Socialism (part 1 ):

  • Within the play, two opposing political, economic and social schools of thought are presented:
  • Capitalism is presented as a system in which abuse and exploitation of the poor and disadvantaged is inevitable
  • Socialism is presented as a system which promotes equality and views society as a whole   
• Capitalism and Socialism (part 2):

  • In 1912, England was governed by a conservative right-wing government where Capitalism was the dominant political ideology of the day:
  • By 1945, a left-wing government had just been elected which advocated more socialist values and ideals
  • The Labour Party envisaged a society in which all citizens would be free from the fear of poverty 
• Capitalism and Socialism (part 3):

  • By setting the play in this period, Priestley aims to show Capitalism to be a morally unacceptable political view:
  • Socialism emerged in the 1940s in an attempt to find a more humane economic system than Capitalism
• Capitalism and Socialism (part 4): In 1912, workers had little or no rights and were largely unprotected by unions and a developed Welfare State, leaving them vulnerable and subject to exploitation:

  • While social welfare reforms began to evolve in the 1900s in England, it was the introduction of the Welfare State in the 1940s that provided much greater protection for the social and economic welfare of citizens 
• Capitalism and Socialism (part 5):

  • 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 
  • By 1945, workers’ rights had been marginally improved and Socialism is depicted as an instrument of the labour movement, making it more responsive to worker’s needs
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Socialism,

  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.
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Poor working conditions,

  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: (part 1)

  • 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.
• Gender: (part 2)

  • 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
• Gender: (part 3)

  • 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
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Treatment of poorer women,

  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.
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls: Limited rights of women

  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.
• An Inspector Calls social context:

  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. 
• Social provision:

  • In 1912, little social provision for the poor meant financial assistance became the responsibility of charities:
  • Priestley attempts to illustrate how unfair the system was and highlight the need for government intervention
  • Through the Inspector, Priestley argues that members of a society have duties and obligations towards the welfare of others 
• In contrast, by 1945 there was a greater desire for social reform:

  • A series of social welfare policies were introduced between 1945–1951, so that the vulnerable in society would be offered some protection
  • The 1942 Beveridge Report advocated a system of social insurance for every citizen regardless of income which led to, for example, the Family Allowances Act 1945 and National Health Service Act 1946
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Social responsibility,

  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
• Class:

  • 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 
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Abuse of social status,

  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. 
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Class inequality,

  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. 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. 
• An Inspector Calls literary context:

  The 1940s witnessed a surge in literature promoting Socialist ideals and there was a growing interest in realism in literature. 
• An Inspector Calls was published in 1945, a time which saw a significant shift towards realism in literature:

  • Realism attempts to create literature in which the world is presented as it exists
  • Its purpose is to present everyday experiences as they are in real life, even if they are monotonous and mundane
  • Writers sought to portray the harsh realities of life that was heavily influenced by the aftermath of World War I
• The genre of the play is that of social drama, which gained prominence during this period:

  • Writers used social drama to critique societal norms and advocate for social reform
  • There was a growing interest in themes of social justice, equality and collective responsibility 
• The play follows a traditional three-act structure which utilises many conventions of the detective genre, though some have been subverted

  • Priestley incorporates elements of Greek tragedy, particularly the Three Unities: 
  • Unity of Place: the play is set in one location
  • Unity of Time: the events are enacted in real time
  • Unity of Action: the play has only one plot (no sub-plots are included)
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  Realism,

  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. 
• How this links to the play An Inspector Calls:

  The detective genre,

  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.