Setting And Context

Question 1

Class and Politics: What is it meant by class?

Answer 1

Society can be divided into upper, middle and working class. In the play, these classes are represented by the Crofts, the Birlings and Eva Smith.

Question 2

Class and Politics: What is capitalism?

Answer 2

The term capitalism refers to individual wealth through hard work. This links to Birling.

Question 3

Class and Politics: What is socialism?

Answer 3

Socialism refers to sharing wealth and looking after poorer people in society. This links to the Inspector.

Question 4

Class and Politics: In the play, which character is linked to the upper class?

Answer 4

Gerald Croft

Question 5

Class and Politics: Which characters are middle class?

Answer 5

The Birlings

Question 6

What class is Eva Smith?

Answer 6

Working class

Question 7

Is Arthur Birling presented as a capitalist or a socialist? How can you tell?

Answer 7

Capitalist. He is a business man and focuses on making money.

Question 8

J.B. Priestly and 1945: How was he and how did his life affect his play?

Answer 8

He grew up in the early 1900s and developed strong socialist beliefs influenced by his father because of countries also being in economic depression.

Question 9

J.B. Priestly and 1945: How does the time the play was written affect the play?

Answer 9

The two world wars began to change society by breaking down the rigid class system.
The writing of the play coincided with the popularity of left-wing views in Britain.
An Inspector Calls (AIC) reminds its audience of a very different Britain.

Question 10

J.B. Priestly and 1945: How does Priestly’s ideas appear through the character of the Inspector?

Answer 10

The Inspector represents Priestly’s socialist views about looking after everyone in society.

Question 11

J.B. Priestly and 1945: How might Priestly’s wartime experiences have helped to shape his socialist principles?

Answer 11

Fighting alongside men of different classes might have influenced Priestly’s belief in equality.

Question 12

J.B. Priestly and 1945: How did the post-Second World War Labour government try to make Britain a more equal place?

Answer 12

They established the welfare state, the NHS and new housing plans where people of different classes would live side by side.

Question 13

The Midlands, 1912: What were the Midlands like in 1912?

Answer 13

The industrial revolution had begun and areas had lots of poor workers and a few rich businessmen.

Question 14

The Midlands, 1912: Did Men and Women have equal pay?

Answer 14

Different groups were campaigning for class and gender equality.

Question 15

The Midlands, 1912: What were the attitudes to morality?

Answer 15

Despite the strong influence of the Christian church on society, people (especially men) weren’t always as moral as they seemed.

Question 16

The Midlands, 1912: Why were people vulnerable if they fell ill or unemployed?

Answer 16

There was no social security or free health care.

Question 17

The Midlands, 1912: What different areas of life and society did men take charge of?

Answer 17

Home, workplace, government and church.

Question 18

The Midlands, 1912: In what ways were women unequal to men?

Answer 18

Women were seen as unequal to men and were elected to stay at home and bring up a family, they had less access to jobs and promotion and had fewer legal rights.

Question 19

The Birlings’ House: What do the props from their house say about the family?

Answer 19

The dining-room set and its props reflect the Birlings’ wealth and self-satisfaction. However, the set also reveals underlying problems in their lives.

Stage directions - (“substantial and heavily comfortable, but not cosy and homelike”)

Question 20

The Birlings’ House: How is the set and lighting used to emphasise points?

Answer 20

The set creates a visual contrast between the Birlings and the life of Eva Smith. - (“champagne glasses”)
The lighting emphasises how the inspector shines a spotlight on their behaviour. - (“pink and intimate … brighter and harder”)

Question 21

The Birlings’ House: What features of the setting show the Birlings are wealthy?

Answer 21

The furniture, the glasses, the cigar box.

Question 22

The Birlings’ House: What fault is pointed about about the appearance of the dining-room?

Answer 22

It isn’t very cosy or homely.

Question 23

The Birlings’ House: How does the set establish the characters are relaxed and happy?

Answer 23

The lighting is warm, the props suggest quality or luxury and the characters are sitting down.

Question 24

When, how, and why should the lightning alter?

Answer 24

The lighting becomes brighter and harder, to emphasise that they are being interrogated and exposed by the inspector.