class system in 1912-1945 Flashcards
what was the class system like in 1912
rigid class system- little social mobility. The lower-class could not rise into the upperclass and upperclass would not fall into the lower-class.
Those who were in their class were restricted by this - Eva is an example as she was restricted by her class. she could not escape it for a better life, she may have tried to move up on social ladder by getting with Eric and Gerald but is immortalised and always refers to by her class. ‘girl of that sort’ ‘ good worker ‘ - objectified, treated as an object or a product that had little meaning and someone who’s life was not acknowledge as precious. ( she cannot escape her class ) this link to how women were seen as proper of their husbands of fathers there for in the case of Eva smiths she would be seen as even more insignificant property to Mr Birling, Eric and Gerald as that is ws the relationship between men and women was like.
what era was it 1912
victorian
what was the class system like in 1945 and what are priestly objectives about classes and equality?
increased social mobility arose when the Equal Franchise Act 1928 was introduced. all women and men over 21 were permitted to vote.
oppressed lower class now had a political voice and involvement, yet the classes were not completely united.
There was still a large class segregation however Priestley’s aim was to decrease class segregation so the working class could have a better quality of life. To increase the political involvement of the lower class and to perpetuate the advancements in equality for the working class.
Priestley’s objective was to highlight the detrimental impacts of class divide and inequality on his 1945 audience based on examples in 1912 society. This encourages the audience to reflect on how far they have come since 1912- as there was an increase in class mobility - and make people not want to regress back to the class system of 1912
what was politics like in 1912
Britain was largely Capitalist (caring of and only for oneself ) and conservative.
Mr Birling took advantage of the laissez- faire approach of the economy which lasted until the 1920s . As a result he was able to exploit his workers for his own gain and pursue his capitalist ideologies. It favoured the upperclass making the working class be trapped in their deprived situations.
laissez- faire = business runners were allowed to chose the rates they paid their employees
what was politics like in 1945 and how did Priestley use this to his advantage.
significant electoral swings In the 20th century between conservative/capitalist and labour/ socialist - labour party won the election by a land slide victory - Priestly wanted to encourage and increase socialist views - which the labour party embodied- in order to achieve a society that enabled everyone to have good quality of life. By Priestley possibly increasing the votes of the labour party he would be fulfilling his aim as the Labour Party were strongly committed to the Beveridge Report which advocated for welfare rights leading to the establishment of the NHS, as well as social security. ( Priestley would be achieving his aim as people -like Eva smith especially-
could of had the NHS to lean on in times of trouble and would’ve possibly had and increased well being. Priestly wants to prevent the immoral treatment towards the working class continuing in the future.
intelligent and tactical Priestly capitalises on the post war state of society as many people would be depressed, in need of someone to rely on and in great grief because of their loss, so he uses this opportunity to galvanise support for socialism and reaffirm that was society needed was the labour part to recreate unity and fairness which is what society needed to move forward.
Priestley used the play in 1945 to advocate for collective responsibility/ social responsibility and responsibility from the upperclass, as well as Labour Party.
context about JB Priestley himself
he was surrounded by socialism and socialist ideologies.
he fought in WW1 and during a time of war propaganda he spoke out about his dislike of war showing he is a person that goes against the grain of society.
Priestley uses the play as a social and political criticism and commentary to evoke change in society which would lead to equality and unity.
Through the play he presents his uncensored political views - and is not subtle about his criticism on the treatment of the working class and how it should be improved. he was part of the common wealth party and used that status to help labour win.
context of women in 1912
women were disenfranchised ( had no quote ) they had no voice politically and socially. There for Priestley may have been using An Inspector Calls as a political and social voice for the inferior women. in order to highlight the oppression they faced in the 1912 society.
women were seen as property of their fathers and husbands in the patriarchal society.
in 1867 the London society for women’s suffrage was created to campaign for women’s rights.
1882 the marries women’s property act meant that women could have their own legal identity and keep properties.
in 1910s women the weens suffrage movement has gained momentum - sheila could be emblematic of this change.
women in 1945
women became more valued because of their efforts on home front which was a pivotal turning point.
before ww2
women’s suffrage movement become more violent.
1918- women over 30 were grated to vote and could then stand for MPs
in 1928 women gained equal voting rights to men over age of 21
Priestley wanted to perpetuate these changes to someday reach full equality between women and men.
sheila is emblematic of this change as in act one she was very silenced representing a 1912 women. she is treated as the property of Mr Birling and Gerald ‘shell make you happy’’ - mr Birling says ‘ Sheilas a lucky girl’. as well as this she is disenfranchised and her marriage is treated like a transaction ‘ that was clever of you Gerald’ ‘no longer competing but are working together- for lower costs and higher prices’. ——- however towards the end of the play Sheila speaks up, is more prominent and involved representing a 1945 women gaining more power and a political and social voice. Priestley showcases Sheilas change so that his female audience can relate to sheila and make the total audience possibly become advocates as they may sympathise with the treatment and journey of women to equality.
Although there was a massive tuning point for women, society was still not completely fair as a result Priestley uses his play to perpetuate the improvements in society
women were confined to their domestic roles?
Priestley harshly criticises the oppression of women in 1912
Priestley uses An Inspector Calls as a reprimand of the 20th century class system + treatment of women.
