Inspector Calls Context Flashcards
Context: The Titanic
The Titanic was an enormous luxury cruise that sunk in 1912 after having hit an iceberg. In the event of the ship sinking the Upper class and middle class people were given priority for the lifeboats and therefore they had a higher chance of survival.
What was the Titanic a representation of?
The British Class system
Characters in Inspector calls
Arthur Birling
Sybil Birling
Sheila Birling
Eric Birling
Gerald Croft
Edna
Inspector Goole
What war took place in 1914 just two years after Inspector calls is set?
World War 1
What was the Great depression (context)?
A stock market crash in the USA left the US economy in turmoil. It also led to the value of British exports halving plunging Britains industrial areas into poverty.
What were the Labour strikes?
The National coal strike (april 1912) has just taken place.
In 1926 a general strike took place and and it was the largest industrial strike in Britains history lasting from the 4th until the 9th of may.
A Capitalist Economic system
Private owners control property in accordance with their interests and freely set prices in markets.
A Socialist economic system
Property and the means of production are owned in common, typically controlled by the state or government.
What ideology did J.B Priestley support?
Socialism
What ideology did Mr birling support?
Capitalism
Which generation does Gerald fall into?
Gerald is an outlier. Could potentially fall into both.
Which characters are members of the younger generation?
Sheila and Eric
Which characters are members of the older generation?
Sybil Birling (Mrs Birling) and Arthur Birling (Mr Birling)
