An Inspector Calls: Context And Background

Summary

The script of 'An Inspector Calls' delves into the aftermath of a young woman's suicide, confronting the wealthy Birling family with their complicity in her death. Set in 1912, it reflects on the stark class and gender divisions of the time, with industrialists profiting from workers' labor and women struggling for rights. J.B. Priestley, born in an industrial hub, used his platform to advocate for socialism and equality, influencing the post-WWII welfare state. The play, written in 1944 and staged in 1946, critiques societal injustices and champions social responsibility, resonating with contemporary audiences.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ 'An Inspector Calls' is a play by J.B. Priestley that uses suspense and mystery to explore societal issues.
• 🏚️ The play is set in 1912, just before the outbreak of World War I, a time when Britain was prosperous but with stark class divisions.
• 🏭 The Industrial Revolution led to the rise of industrialists and merchants, but also to poor working conditions for the working class.
• 👥 The Burling family represents the affluent class of the time, benefiting from the labor of the working class.
• 👮‍♂️ The inspector's arrival forces the family to confront their role in the death of a young woman, symbolizing societal self-reflection.
• 💡 Priestley uses the play to comment on the need for social change and the consequences of selfishness and greed.
• 👔 The play highlights the gender and class inequalities of the time, including poor working conditions and low wages for women.
• 📊 The legalizing of trade unions in the 19th century began to improve working conditions, but by 1912, laws still favored factory owners.
• 🚫 Women faced significant societal restrictions, including limited employment opportunities and harsh consequences for premarital pregnancy.
• 🌟 J.B. Priestley's personal experiences and beliefs influenced the themes of the play, advocating for socialism and a more equitable society.
• 📖 The play was written during the rise of socialist ideals and the establishment of the welfare state, reflecting Priestley's hopes for a better future.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the play 'An Inspector Calls'?

The main theme of 'An Inspector Calls' is the exploration of the consequences of selfishness, greed, and the social class divisions in British society, particularly around the time of World War I.

Why did JB Priestley set the play 'An Inspector Calls' in 1912?

JB Priestley set the play in 1912 to reflect on the social conditions and class divisions in Britain just before the outbreak of World War I, which was a time when families like the Birling family flourished.

What significant historical event is mentioned as a backdrop in the script?

The script mentions World War II ending in 1945 as a significant historical event that serves as a backdrop, highlighting the changes in British society post-war.

How does the script describe the working conditions in factories around 1912?

The script describes the working conditions in factories around 1912 as harsh, with workers toiling long hours for low pay in small, hot, and dangerous spaces with steam-powered machinery.

What was the living situation like for factory workers in 1912 according to the script?

According to the script, factory workers lived in polluted and overcrowded slums, which contrasts with the comfortable suburbs where families like the Birling family resided.

How did the legalization of trade unions impact working conditions in the 19th century as mentioned in the script?

The script indicates that the legalization of trade unions in the 19th century led to improvements in working conditions, although by 1912, laws still favored factory owners.

What were the gender divisions like in England during the time period depicted in the script?

The script highlights that gender divisions were rigid, with women's wages generally being only one-third to one-half of male workers' wages, and societal norms were harsh towards women who did not conform to domestic roles.

What was JB Priestley's personal background, and how did it influence his views on social inequality?

JB Priestley was born in Bradford, a hub of industry, and worked at a textile mill at age 16, experiencing firsthand the poor working conditions of the lower classes. This background influenced his views on social inequality and his advocacy for socialism and women's rights.

How did Priestley use his platform as a writer and broadcaster to promote his views?

Priestley used his role as a writer of essays, plays, novels, and a broadcaster on the BBC to promote socialist ideals, the concept of a welfare state, and equal opportunity rights and wealth for all citizens.

What were the key ideas that Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' resonated with during its time?

The play resonated with ideas of social equality, responsibility, and the potential for building a better and more generous society, aligning with the public feeling and the policies introduced by the Socialist labor party after World War II.

Why did the Socialist labor party's victory in 1945 have significance in relation to 'An Inspector Calls'?

The Socialist labor party's victory in 1945 led to the introduction of the welfare state, which was in tune with Priestley's views expressed in 'An Inspector Calls', making the play's message relevant and timely.

Outlines

00:00

🕵️‍♂️ An Inspector Calls: Social Injustice and Change

This paragraph sets the stage for the play 'An Inspector Calls' by introducing the main themes of social injustice and the consequences of selfishness and greed. The play is described as suspenseful and filled with revelations, but it also serves as a commentary on British society during the early 20th century. The setting is pre-World War I Britain, where industrial prosperity created a stark divide between the wealthy and the working class. The working class suffered in factories with poor conditions, while the wealthy enjoyed suburban comfort. The paragraph also touches on gender inequality, with women facing limited rights and opportunities. J.B. Priestley, the playwright, is introduced as a critic of these societal issues, with his own background in the industrial town of Bradford, reflecting the setting of the play.

05:02

🌟 Priestley's Advocacy for Social Equality

The second paragraph delves into J.B. Priestley's personal experiences and his evolution into a social reform advocate. After working in a textile mill and serving in World War I, Priestley witnessed the stark realities of class and social divisions. His return to a changing England, where class barriers were breaking down due to the war's impact, influenced his socialist beliefs. Priestley became a prolific writer and broadcaster, using his platform to promote socialist ideals and the welfare state. The paragraph highlights the historical context of post-World War II Britain, where Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' premiered in 1946, reflecting the public's mood for social change and equality. The play's themes of social responsibility and the potential for a better society are emphasized, showing Priestley's hope for a more generous and enlightened future.

Keywords

💡An Inspector Calls

This is the title of the play discussed in the video script, which serves as a central theme. The play is a commentary on British society and addresses issues of social inequality, class division, and moral responsibility. It is set in 1912, just before the outbreak of World War I, and uses the plot device of a suicide investigation to force the upper-class Birling family to confront their role in societal ills.

💡Suspense

Suspense is a narrative technique used in the play to keep the audience engaged and on edge. It is created through the unfolding of the inspector's investigation into the suicide of a young woman, with each revelation increasing the tension and forcing the characters to face uncomfortable truths about their actions and society.

💡British history

The video script uses the play 'An Inspector Calls' to explore British history, particularly the period just before World War I. It highlights the societal changes that occurred as Britain transitioned from an industrial powerhouse to a more socially aware and technologically advanced nation, as well as the ongoing issues of class and gender inequality.

💡Class divisions

Class divisions refer to the social stratification present in early 20th-century Britain, where the wealthy industrialists and merchants accumulated most of the wealth while the working class suffered in poor working conditions and lived in slums. The play uses the Birling family to represent the upper class and contrasts their lifestyle with that of the working class.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is a historical period of rapid industrialization that took place during the 18th and 19th centuries. The script mentions it as the cradle of Britain's prosperity and technological advancement, leading to the rise of a wealthy class of industrialists and merchants, which is exemplified by the Birling family in the play.

💡Trade unions

Trade unions are organizations that represent the collective interests of workers and negotiate employment contracts and working conditions. The script mentions the legalization of trade unions in the 19th century as a step towards improving working conditions, although by 1912, the laws still favored factory owners.

💡Gender divisions

Gender divisions refer to the societal norms and expectations that differentiate the roles and rights of men and women. The script discusses how women in early 20th-century England were fighting for their rights, often working for lower wages than men and facing severe social stigma for actions like having children out of wedlock.

💡Socialism

Socialism is a political and economic theory advocating for equal opportunity rights and wealth distribution among all citizens. The video script connects the author J.B. Priestley's support for socialism with the themes of the play, which critiques the disparities between the rich and the poor and calls for a more equitable society.

💡Welfare state

The welfare state is a concept where the government plays a key role in the well-being of its citizens by providing a range of social services, including education and healthcare. The script mentions Priestley's advocacy for a welfare state and how the play's themes resonated with the public as the UK began to implement such policies after World War II.

💡J.B. Priestley

J.B. Priestley is the author of 'An Inspector Calls' and a prominent figure in the video script. He was a British playwright, novelist, and broadcaster who used his work to critique social inequality and advocate for socialist ideals. His personal experiences and views are integral to understanding the themes and messages of the play.

💡World War II

World War II is a significant historical event that ended in 1945, the year before 'An Inspector Calls' was first performed. The video script suggests that the play was written in response to the societal changes and opportunities for social reform that emerged in the post-war period, with Priestley using the play to encourage a more socially responsible and generous society.

Highlights

An Inspector Calls explores the themes of truth, selfishness, and greed in the context of a young woman's suicide.

The play is set in 1912, just before the outbreak of World War I, reflecting the social and economic conditions of the time.

Britain in 1912 was a prosperous and technologically advanced nation, with a class of industrialists and merchants accumulating most of the wealth.

Working conditions in factories were harsh, with long hours, low pay, and dangerous machinery.

Trade unions were legalized in the 19th century, but laws still favored factory owners, and class divisions were apparent.

Gender divisions were rigid, with women fighting for rights despite being employed in low-wage jobs.

Women's wages were generally only one-third to one-half of male workers' wages.

Married women faced significant challenges, including the risk of losing their children in a divorce.

J.B. Priestley, the playwright, was born in 1894 in Bradford, a hub of industry and manufacturing.

Priestley worked at a textile mill at age 16, witnessing the working conditions of the poorer classes.

Priestley's experiences during World War I influenced his views on social inequality and his support for socialism.

The 1930s saw Priestley become a passionate supporter of socialism, advocating for equal opportunity and wealth distribution.

An Inspector Calls was written in 1944, reflecting Priestley's ideas about social equality and responsibility.

The play opened in London in 1946, the year after the Labour Party's victory and the introduction of the welfare state.

Priestley's work resonated with the public, promoting the potential for a more generous and socially responsible society.

The play serves as a critique of British history and society, highlighting the need for social change and responsibility.

Transcripts

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an inspector arrives at the door bearing

news of a young woman suicide his

questions forced the Burling family to

face the truth about their role in her

death and to acknowledge the

consequences of their selfishness and

greed An Inspector Calls is filled with

suspense mystery and

Revelations but beyond its captivating

narrative the play has some important

things to say about British history and

society as World War II ended in 1945 JB

Priestly sent set out to show how

Society had changed since the first

world war so his play was set just

before its outbreak in 1912 when

families like the berlings

flourished as the Cradle of the

Industrial Revolution Britain was by

1912 a highly prosperous and

technologically advanced

Nation many people worked in factories

where steampowered Machinery

manufactured products in massive

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quantities a class of industrialists

merchants and ship owners accumulated

most of the wealth while the working

classes toiled long hours for very

little pay

working in small spaces with hot and

dangerous

Machinery while Factory workers lived in

polluted and overcrowded slums people

like the berlings moved away from those

areas into comfortable

suburbs working conditions began to

improve when trade unions were legalized

in the 19th century but in 1912 the laws

still favored Factory

owners

and class divisions were still very much

apparent as Factory owners continued to

reap the rewards of workers labor at the

same time gender divisions remained just

as rigid and the women of England were

fighting for their

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rights this despite Millions finding

employment as textile workers and

domestic servants women's wages were

generally only 1/3 to 1/ half of male

workers wages women who weren't forced

to work for a living were usually

confined to domestic duties looking

after their husbands children and

running the

household it was very difficult for a

married woman to get a divorce she also

risked losing her children who became

the prop y of the father after a

divorce while it was acceptable for a

husband to have affairs and keep

Mistresses a woman who had multiple

partners was seen to be

ruined pregnancy outside marriage was

also viewed as shameful and no State

support was provided for unmarried

mothers women were forced to rely on any

charity they could

find in the decades that followed JB

Priestly became a vocal advocate of

women's

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rights JB Priestley was born in Bradford

West Yorkshire in

1894 like Brumley where an inspector

calls his set Bradford was known as a

hub of industry and

Manufacturing Priestley was born into

the suburb of Manningham which housed

the fames of many wealthy industrialists

not unlike the

berlings in 1910 at age 16 Priestly

began work at a textile mill and saw

firsthand the working conditions of the

poorer

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classes 4 years later he joined the army

as the first world war broke out but was

badly injured in a collapsed trench in

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1916 the England he returned to was in

the midst of change large sections of

the working classes had served in the

war many who didn't serve had obtained

higher paying positions in the

workforce class barriers were further

broken down by the weaken state of the

middle and upper classes due to the

death toll and to heavy Financial losses

during the

war in the 1930s priestley's concerns

over social inequality led him to become

a passionate supporter of socialism

which sought equal opportunity rights

and wealth for all

citizens Priestley became a prolific

writer of essays plays and novels as

well as a well-known broadcaster on the

BBC he used this role to promote

socialist ideals and the concept of a

welfare

state with free education and health

care for all

he started to write an inspector calls

in

1944 the Socialist labor party won the

election in 1945 and introduced the

welfare state so the views Priestly

Expresses in the play were in tune with

public

feeling now that World War II had ended

he saw a major opportunity for people to

build a better and more generous Society

to help audiences see the potential in

their future Priestly gave gave them a

glimpse of Britain's less enlightened

past and inspector Kohls opened on the

London stage in

1946 the year following the labor

party's Landslide

Victory and priestley's ideas about

social equality and

responsibility resonated then as they

still do among many in society

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today