The Play 1912 To 1945 Flashcards
When was the play set but when was it performed ?
Although it’s set in the fictional city of Brumley in 1912
The play was first performed in 1945 which adds to the irony of many of Mr Burlings claims
When is the play set ? ( different answer )
1912 when the ruling classes are keen to stay in power and see no need for change that was occurring around them at the time
Who are the Birlings ?
What does Priestly do ?
A wealthy family which are symbolic of those of similar status in the nonfictional world
Priestly heavily criticizes them in the play through the inspector due to their lack of responsibly over their actions
What is important to note about the audience watching the play ?
Audience: 1945-present day
Aware through priestly use of dramatic irony that the Birlings would soon here of the Sinking of the Titanic and the start of WW 1
What are some differences between 1912 and 1945 ?
1912
- Titanic was in productions and hadn’t set sail on its fatal maiden voyage
1945
- audience knew of the Titanic’s fatal sinking
1912
- WW1 is yet to start
1945
- audience have just finished WW 2
What does Mr Birling say about the titanic ?
Unsinkable absolutely unsinkable
- 1912 the titanic has not set of on its disastrous maiden voyage that saw many lives lost
- 1945 audiences are well aware of the catastrophic disaster of the Titanic’s sinking
What does Mr Birling say about WW1 ? Why is this important ?
He states confidently that ‘The Germans don’t want war’
- 1912: World war 1 is yet to start and Mr Birlings view is know to be incorrect by all audience members
- 1945: this is exacerbated by the fact they have just lived through six years of conflict in world war 2
How is the society of 1912 different to that of 1945?
1912
- Deeply patriarchal society were men were viewed as superior to women. Working class women seen as cheap labour. Women who had men that could afford to support them were expected to be obedient and housewives
1945
- as a result of the persistent and ongoing women’s rights movements such as the suffragettes women were more valued
What does priestly question ?
The kind of people that were fighting to save the unjust society of early 1900’s England
Why does priestly remind his audience of pre war characters ?
Priestly wants the audience to question and consider the nature of the post war society they were building
What might the attitude of Mr Birling do to the audience ?
The fact he was quick to dismiss his involvement and wipe his hands clean of the ‘ unpleasant business’ in Eva’s suicide
No doubt would resonate with the audience at the time who had lived through acts of such ignorance and complacency that led to far worse blood shed
What might an audience of 1945 not have that the Birlings have ? Why ?
An audience in 1945 would of been deprived of many of the luxuries that the Birlings enjoy such as port due to rationing
This could encourage the audience to see them as materialistic and superficial
