J.B. Priestley

• What is the context of J.B. Priestley himself?

  • Growing up, he was surrounded by socialist ideologies, especially because his father was a passionate socialist
  • He fought in WW1 & known for being openly scatching of the institutions, linking to the play through his frequent uncensored political voice which is evident within the play -> therefore, his contribution in WW1 lead to his realisation of the vast inequalities that plague society
• What is the context of J.B. Priestley's involvement in politics?

  • In 1945, he was a co-founder of the common wealth party, which was a socialist party that favoured equality, morality & common ownership (less should be privately owned, more owned by the public)
  • The common wealth party helped galvanise support for the Labour parties landslide victory of 1945
• How does J.B. Priestley himself link to the play?

  • Priestley's strong socialist ideologies are personified through the Inspector, who acts as a moral compass for the Birlings, aiming to guide them away from their dehumanising capitalist worldwide views by introducing them to socialism
  • Thus, Priestley vilifies capitalists, particularly through Mr & Mrs Birling, to make socialism seem a more favourable societal approach