AIC Context

• Capitalism


  A system in which abuse and exploitation of the poor and disadvantaged are inevitable
• Socialism


  A system which promotes equality and views society as a whole
• England was governed by a conservative right-wing government where Capitalism was the dominant theory of the day


  1912
• A left-wing government had just been elected which advocated more socialist values and ideals


  1945
• Labour Party's vision


  A society in which all citizens would be free from the fear of poverty
• 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
• 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, which provided much greater protection for the social and economic welfare of citizens
• 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
• Socialism


  Is depicted as an instrument of the labour movement, making it more responsive to worker's needs
• Priestley illustrates the vulnerability of workers when Eva is dismissed for her participation in a pay strike
• Priestley tries to convey the importance that all workers should be protected from unfair dismissal
• Work in industrial factories in 1912 would 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
• Little social provision for the poor meant financial assistance became the responsibility of charities


  1912
• 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
• Priestley depicts the failures of charity in dealing with the problems of poverty
• Priestley attempts to illustrate how unfair the system was and to 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
• There was a greater desire for social reform


  1945
• Social welfare policies introduced between 1945-1951


  Vulnerable in society offered some protection
• The 1942 Beveridge Report advocated a system of social insurance for every citizen regardless of income, for example, the Family Allowances Act 1945, National Health Service Act 1946
• By setting the play in 1912, Priestley is able to convey 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


  Hierarchical class system
• The hierarchical class system was very dominant in Edwardian society
• Classes in British society at the start of the 20th century


  • Upper class
  • Middle class
  • 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 depression and mass unemployment throughout the world
• The majority of British people, especially the working class, demanded social change
• Priestley's concern


  To show the social extremes of the class system
• Representations of classes


  • Birlings and Gerald Croft (upper classes)
  • Eva (working class)
• The Birlings' home and lifestyle

  Sharply contrasted with descriptions of the workers in Arthur's factory and Eva's poverty
• By 1945, two world wars had dramatically altered views about class
• In 1912, women were largely seen to be subservient to men and had significantly fewer rights
• Suffragette movement


  Campaigned for gender equality for women
• It was an increasing time of political agitation for women's rights