Britain in 1912 and 1945 Flashcards
Context and Themes
True or False? Britain in 1912 was strongly divided along class lines.
True. Britain was strongly divided according to class — people with a higher social status had most of the power.
Arthur says that in 1940 there will be “peace and prosperity”.
How does the audience know he is wrong?
The audience knows that in 1940 Britain was involved in the Second World War.
Give one way the lives of women change between 1912 and 1945.
Women had gained more independence by 1945, including being given the right to vote.
What does Arthur’s toast in Act One reveal about the political situation in Britain and Europe in 1912?
Use examples in your answer.
His speech suggests there is political tension in Europe, as he mentions that some people think that “war’s inevitable” with Germany. He also references a recent miners’ strike, which suggests there has been political unrest in Britain too.
Why do you think Priestley chose to set the play in an earlier time to when he wrote it?
Priestley set the play at an earlier time so he could use the audience’s knowledge of the future to create dramatic irony. For example, the audience is aware that Arthur’s predictions will be proven wrong, which emphasises his foolishness. They are also aware that the Inspector’s predictions about the future are correct. This makes the audience more likely to believe his message about social responsibility, because he is shown to be right about lots of other things.
