Politics

• How the context of politics reflected through 1912 society?

  • Britain was capitalist & conservative
  • Although there were acts introduced (e.g. 1906 children given free school meals) by the Liberal Party (endorsed by Labour, who were socialist and favoured by the working class, as well opposed to the Conservatives), this was not enough support depsite the Liberal view of social reform as they had a laissez-faire approach within economy
• What is laissez-faire?

  • the idea that the government should have minimal intervention within the economy, with unrestricted trade & the price of goods largely decided by business owners
• How does laissez-faire link to the play?

  • it created an optimum environment for capitalist business owners e.g. Mr Birling
  • this meaning that he & others had free reign to decide the prices on their goods & simultaneously exploit their workers
  • despite there being some support for the working class, this was not enough to prevent their exploitation
• How is the context of politics reflected through 1945 society?

  • one of the biggest electoral swings in 20th century, with the Labour Party winning by a landslide victory (massive amount) in 1945
  • shock to Conservatives who previously proved popular in WW2
  • Labour's appeal: their committment to the Beveridge Report, underpinning a need for a universal welfare state which e.g. lead to the formation of the NHS, in which this was favoured by British society due to post WW2 society who felt the need to be united rather than divided due to the lives lost in the war
• How does 1945 society link to the play?

  • the electoral swing from capitalism to socialism could be seen to be evident within Sheila & Eric as they also had a huge swing from capitalism to socialism when introduced to the Inspector (who would have promoted welfare rights)
  • the general need for society to be united in society is replicated in Sheila & Eric understanding that the segregation of classes was not beneficial & needed to be abolished