An Inspector Calls Context Flashcards
Plot
While the Birling family were celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling and Gerald Croft, an Inspector arrives at the Birling family’s door, bearing news of a young girls suicide. His questions force the Birling Family to face the truth about their role in her death and to acknowledge the consequences of their selfishness and greed.
Context
Because of the industrial revolution, Britain was a highly technological and advanced nation. Many people worked in factories where machinery manufactured products in large quantities. A class of industrialists, merchants and ship owners accumulated most of the wealth while working classes toiled long hours in terrible conditions for very little pay. They also lived in overcrowded slums whereas people like the Birlings moved away into the comfortable suburbs. Class and gender divisions were very apparent as the upper class continued to reap the rewards and the women of England fought for their rights.. Also while it was acceptable for husbands to have numerous mistresses, If wives had multiple partners, they were seen as ruined. Pregnancy outside marriage was seen as shameful and no state support was provided. Only charities.
JB Priestly
JB Priestly set out to show how much society have changed since WW1 so this play was set in 1912 where families like the Birlings flourished. He was born in the suburbs near families like the Birlings and at aged 16 he began work at a textile mill where he saw the terrible conditions 1st hand. He became a passionate supporter of socialism after his concerns of social inequality. He became a writer and a BBC broadcaster as he used his platform to promote social ideals and a welfare state. When WW2 ended he saw an opportunity for people to build a better and more generous society with “An Inspector Calls”.
Socialism
Socialists believe in:
Community
A fairer more equal society with fewer class divides
The welfare state-benefits,NHS,free education
Capitalism
It is the idea that if you work hard, you will achieve your goals. They believe that you should look after yourself and your family only and in high profits which leads to low wages so that the gap between the rich and poor grow.
