An Inspector Calls Context - J B Priestley

Summary

This video explores the life and ideas of British playwright and author JB Priestley, focusing on his most famous play, 'An Inspector Calls.' Born in 1894, Priestley's working-class background and experiences in WWI influenced his socialist views and concern for social inequality. His fascination with time's non-linearity is evident in his plays. As a socialist, Priestley used his writing and BBC broadcasts to promote fairness and equality, which are central themes in 'An Inspector Calls,' reflecting his belief in societal responsibility.

Takeaways

• 📜 JB Priestley was a renowned British playwright and author, known for his play 'An Inspector Calls'.
• 🏭 Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Priestley was deeply affected by the working-class struggles and social inequalities of his time.
• ✍️ He wrote about the harsh economic realities and the waste of human life due to poverty and unemployment.
• 🎖️ Priestley's experience in WWI and the class barriers within the Army influenced his views on society and equality.
• 🕰️ Fascinated by non-linear time theories, Priestley's plays often explored the concept of time, as seen in 'An Inspector Calls'.
• 📖 His works were inspired by philosopher JW Dunn's ideas that time is not linear and events can be experienced out of sequence.
• 📢 During WWII, Priestley used his BBC radio broadcasts to voice socialist views, reaching millions and promoting fairness and equality.
• 🔊 Despite some opposition, Priestley's socialist beliefs were a cornerstone of his plays, advocating for community responsibility and societal change.
• 🌟 'An Inspector Calls', first performed in 1946, continues to resonate with audiences due to its themes of social responsibility and the impact of wealth on the working class.
• 📚 Priestley's life and ideas continue to inspire new generations, encouraging the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Q & A

What is the significance of JB Priestley's working-class upbringing in Bradford?

JB Priestley's upbringing in the industrial town of Bradford provided him with firsthand experience of the struggles of the poor, which influenced his deep-seated concern for the welfare of others and his passionate distaste for inequality.

How did Priestley's experiences during World War I shape his views on society?

Priestley's service in the Army during World War I, where he was promoted to an officer, exposed him to class barriers and the tragic losses of life. These experiences likely contributed to his opinions on promoting fairness and equality in society.

What philosophical theories about time fascinated Priestley and how did they influence his writing?

Priestley was fascinated by philosopher JW Dunn's theories that time was not linear and that people could experience events out of sequence. This influenced his 'time plays', including 'An Inspector Calls', which features a narrative structure that challenges traditional notions of time.

How did Priestley use his radio broadcasts during World War II to express his political beliefs?

During World War II, Priestley used his popular BBC radio broadcasts to voice his socialist beliefs, advocating for cooperation and mutual benefit among people. However, his left-wing views eventually led to the cancellation of his broadcasts.

What is the central theme of 'An Inspector Calls' and how does it reflect Priestley's socialist views?

The central theme of 'An Inspector Calls' is the responsibility of each individual in society for one another, particularly in the context of the wealthy Birling family's involvement in the suicide of working-class Eva Smith. This theme reflects Priestley's socialist views on community and shared responsibility.

Why was Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls' first performed after World War II?

'An Inspector Calls' was first performed after World War II in 1946, possibly because the post-war period was a time of reflection and reassessment of societal values, making it an opportune moment to present Priestley's socialist ideals to the public.

How does the ending of 'An Inspector Calls' challenge the audience's perception of time?

The ending of 'An Inspector Calls' challenges the audience's perception of time by suggesting a cyclical or non-linear experience of events, as indicated by the mysterious phone call that implies Eva Smith's death and the inspector's return, questioning the linear progression of time.

What impact did Priestley's socialist beliefs have on his relationship with politicians of his time?

Priestley's socialist beliefs, which were openly expressed through his writing and radio broadcasts, did not sit well with some politicians, leading to conflicts and eventually the cancellation of his radio broadcasts.

How does Priestley's personal experience with the working class and the military contribute to the realism in his plays?

Priestley's personal experiences with the working class and the military provide a foundation for the realism in his plays, as they offer authentic insights into the lives of different social classes and the harsh realities of war, which he weaves into his narratives.

What is the relevance of JB Priestley's views in contemporary society, as seen through his plays?

JB Priestley's views on social responsibility and equality remain relevant in contemporary society, as his plays continue to resonate with audiences grappling with similar struggles for a fairer society, despite the persistence of inequalities.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Early Life and Social Consciousness

This paragraph introduces JB Priestley, a renowned British playwright and author, and emphasizes the importance of understanding an author's personal experiences and beliefs to analyze their work. Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1894, Priestley grew up in a working-class family during a time of significant social and political change. His upbringing in an industrial town exposed him to the harsh realities faced by the poor, which influenced his views on society. He was acutely aware of the struggles of the working class, witnessing firsthand the effects of overwork, underpayment, and poor living conditions. His experiences are detailed in his 1949 book 'Delight', where he expresses his deep concern for social welfare and his disdain for inequality and the ignorance of the wealthy. Priestley's moral view of society is shaped by these early experiences, which are crucial for understanding his work.

05:01

🌐 War Experiences and Theories of Time

The second paragraph delves into Priestley's experiences during World War I and his fascination with time theories, both of which significantly influenced his writing. Having enlisted in the Army, Priestley's promotion to an officer provided him with a firsthand view of the class barriers within the military, further shaping his opinions on societal inequality. His time at war, marked by tragic losses, solidified his beliefs in promoting fairness and equality. After the war, Priestley's interest in the non-linear nature of time, inspired by philosopher JW Dunn, led to the creation of 'time plays' that explore unconventional narrative structures. This is exemplified in 'An Inspector Calls', where the play's ending challenges traditional notions of time, suggesting a cyclical or non-linear progression of events.

📢 Socialist Views and Influence on Public Opinion

The final paragraph discusses Priestley's political views, particularly his identification as a socialist, and his use of writing and broadcasting to influence public opinion. As a socialist, Priestley believed in cooperation for mutual benefit and the collective ownership or control of property and business. His socialist beliefs, though controversial at the time, were a significant part of his identity and work. During World War II, he used his platform on BBC radio to voice his opinions, reaching millions. However, his views did not sit well with all, leading to the cancellation of his broadcasts. 'An Inspector Calls', first performed in 1946, served as a vehicle for his socialist ideals, teaching audiences about societal responsibility and the interconnectedness of all members of society. These themes continue to resonate with modern audiences, reflecting ongoing societal inequalities and the enduring relevance of Priestley's work.

Keywords

💡JB Priestley

JB Priestley was a renowned British playwright and author known for his works that often reflected social and political themes. Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Priestley's experiences growing up in an industrial town during a time of significant social change deeply influenced his writing. His works, such as 'An Inspector Calls,' are not only plays but also vehicles for his socialist views, highlighting the struggles of the working class and critiquing societal inequalities.

💡An Inspector Calls

This is one of Priestley's most famous and enduring plays, which serves as a central focus of the video. The play is used to illustrate Priestley's views on social responsibility and the interconnectedness of society. It tells the story of the wealthy Birling family and their involvement in the tragic suicide of a working-class woman, Eva Smith, emphasizing that everyone in society is accountable for one another.

💡Working class

The term 'working class' refers to individuals who are employed in manual labor or low-wage jobs and often face economic challenges. In the context of the video, Priestley's working-class upbringing in Bradford is highlighted as a significant influence on his writing. His firsthand experience with the struggles of the poor, such as overwork, underpayment, and poor living conditions, is a recurring theme in his works, including 'An Inspector Calls.'

💡Social and political change

This concept refers to shifts in societal structures and political landscapes that can lead to significant alterations in the way societies operate. The video mentions the time of Priestley's birth as a period of profound social and political change, with the world on the brink of World War. These changes likely influenced Priestley's views on society and his writing, which often addresses the need for social reform and equality.

💡Inequality

Inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, or privileges among different members of a society. Priestley had a passionate distaste for inequality, as evidenced by his writings and his portrayal of the struggles of the working class. The video emphasizes how Priestley's experiences and observations of the poor in Bradford shaped his moral view of society and his critique of the wealthy and privileged.

💡World War

The World War, specifically the First World War, is mentioned as a formative experience for Priestley. He enlisted in the Army and was promoted to an officer, which gave him firsthand experience of class barriers within the military. The war's tragic losses and the inequality he witnessed likely shaped his opinions on society and his advocacy for fairness and equality.

💡Time

The concept of time, particularly as a non-linear construct, is a key theme in Priestley's writing. He was fascinated by philosopher JW Dunn's theories that time is not linear and that people can experience events out of sequence. This fascination is reflected in 'An Inspector Calls,' where the ending suggests a cyclical view of time, with the inspector's departure and the subsequent phone call implying a recurrence of events.

💡Socialism

Socialism is a political and economic theory advocating for collective ownership and control of the means of production and the absence of social classes. Priestley identified as a socialist, and his socialist beliefs are evident in his plays, including 'An Inspector Calls,' which teaches the audience about the responsibilities of each individual in society. His socialist views were influential in his radio broadcasts for the BBC during the Second World War.

💡BBC broadcasts

The BBC broadcasts refer to the popular radio programs that Priestley hosted during the Second World War, reaching millions of listeners. These broadcasts were a platform for Priestley to express his socialist views and influence public opinion. However, his left-wing beliefs led to the eventual cancellation of his broadcasts, as they did not align with some politicians' views of the time.

💡Responsibility

The concept of responsibility is central to the message of 'An Inspector Calls.' It suggests that everyone in society bears responsibility for one another, a theme that resonates with Priestley's socialist ideals. The play uses the story of the Birling family to illustrate how individual actions can have far-reaching consequences, emphasizing the need for a sense of collective responsibility.

Highlights

JB Priestley was a renowned British playwright and author.

Priestley's personal experiences and beliefs are vital for understanding his works.

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Priestley was aware of the struggles of the poor.

He witnessed firsthand the harsh economic realities of the working class.

Priestley's upbringing influenced his moral view of society and disdain for inequality.

He enlisted in the Army and experienced class barriers during World War I.

Priestley's war experiences shaped his opinions on promoting fairness and equality.

He was fascinated by theories about time and its non-linear nature.

Priestley's plays often explored unconventional narrative structures and themes of time.

An Inspector Calls is influenced by the philosopher JW Dunn's ideas about time.

The play's ending subverts traditional notions of time with a mysterious phone call.

Priestley used his writing to express socialist views and promote public opinion.

He became a popular voice on BBC radio during World War II.

Priestley's socialist beliefs sometimes clashed with politicians, leading to broadcast cancellations.

An Inspector Calls serves as a vehicle for Priestley's socialist views on community and responsibility.

The play's message of societal responsibility still resonates with modern audiences.

JB Priestley's views on promoting a fairer society continue to influence new generations.

Transcripts

welcome to this short study video

exploring the life and ideas of the

renowned British playwright and author

JB Priestly this content will help you

prepare to study priestley's most famous

and enduring play and Inspector

Calls remember having a confident

understanding of a writer's personal

experiences and beliefs is vital in

giving context for the text you're

studying allowing you to understand and

analyze the play in Greater depth so

let's explore some of the most relevant

facts about priestley's

life JB Priestley was born on September

13th 1894 in the city of Bradford West

Yorkshire this was a time of profound

social and political change with the

world on the brink of a devastating

World War due to his workingclass

upbringing in the industrial town of

Bradford Priestley was keenly aware of

the Str struggles of the poor and he saw

at firsthand the result of working

people who were overworked underpaid and

living in squalid

conditions he later described his

experience growing up in Bradford in the

1949 book

Delight Priestly

commented I have tried to make myself

and other people aware of the harsh

economic realities of our time again and

again I have taken my type writer to the

factories the mines the steel mills I

denounced or Jered at those colleagues

who would not look I wrote some of the

first detailed accounts of the depressed

areas having been brought up on the edge

of it I knew what life was like back of

the mill I did not discover the

proletariat at Oxford or Cambridge for

the West riding working class was in my

blood and

bones I grew up among

socialists I watched the smoke thicken

and the millionaires who made it ride

away I saw broken old women creep back

to the Mills and young men wither

because there was no work for them to do

and nobody wanted them I saw the saddest

waste of all the waste of human

life this gives vital context to priest

Le's moral view of society from his

words it is plain that he carries a

deep-seated concern for the weal Ware of

others as well as a passionate distaste

for inequality and what he perceived as

the ignorance of the wealthy and

privileged in

society let's look at how some of priest

Le's views were shaped by his experience

of

War like many young men of his

generation Priestly enlisted in the Army

and fought for Great Britain in the

first world war he was promoted to an

officer which gave him firsthand

experience of the class barriers that EX

existed between the often wealthier

better educated officers and the less

privileged lower ranks his experience of

the inequality within the Army as well

as the tragic losses of life during the

war no doubt shaped his opinions on

society and how to promote fairness and

equality another important aspect of

priestley's writing is his fascination

with theories about

time after returning from the war

Priestly attended Cambridge University

in order to pursue a career as a writer

he published a number of successful

plays in the 1930s and 40s to Broad

Acclaim he became known for unusual

narrative structures which explored the

theme of time priestley's time plays

which include time with the conways and

An Inspector Calls were inspired by his

fascination with the philosopher JW Dunn

who claimed that time was not linear and

that people can experience events before

before or after they happen often

through

dreams this is key for the play and

Inspector Calls as the ending flips the

idea of time on its head the inspector

leaves the burling's house but the

events seem to recycle with the

mysterious phone call at the end

indicating that Eva Smith has once more

died in the infirmary and the inspector

will return again to question the

characters finally let's take a look at

priest Le's political views and how he

used his voice and writing to influence

public

opinion during the second world war

Priestly became a regular voice on radio

for the BBC where he had a popular

broadcast drawing in an audience of

millions Priestly identified as a

socialist socialism is a political

belief which promotes cooperation

between people for Mutual benefit for

example socialists believe that society

as a whole should should own or at least

control property and business for the

benefit of all of its members not just a

few priestley's socialist or left-wing

beliefs did not go down well with some

politicians of the time which led to his

broadcasts eventually being

cancelled however in the play and

Inspector Calls he found the perfect

vehicle for his socialist views the play

was first performed after the end of

World War II in

1946 and its story of the wealthy

Berling family's involvement in the

tragic suicide of workingclass Eva Smith

is designed to teach the audience that

everyone in society is responsible for

each

other these socialist ideals about

community and responsibility though

still controversial in some parts of

society today still resonate with

audiences perhaps due to the

inequalities that still exist in the

world around us therefore JB priest Le's

views live on in his plays and writing

allowing new audiences to Grapple with

the struggle to promote a fairer Society