Context of An Inspector Calls

Summary

In this educational video, the presenter explores J.B. Priestley's life and its impact on his play *An Inspector Calls*. Key points include Priestley’s father’s influence on the play’s didactic tone, the significance of 1912 as a pivotal year in both Priestley’s life and the play’s narrative, and Priestley’s firsthand experience of war and social inequality. The video also touches on Priestley’s rejection of class privilege, his advocacy for social reform, and his critiques of the upper classes, offering valuable insights for students to incorporate into their essays for higher exam marks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Priestley's father was a school teacher, and this is reflected in the didactic tone of his play, where the inspector teaches important moral lessons about responsibility and social reform.
• 😀 Priestley's first published work came in 1912, a pivotal moment in his life, which he connects to the timing of his play, setting it in 1912 as a key turning point in both Eva Smith's and the Birlings' lives.
• 😀 Eva Smith's character is seen as a reflection of Priestley himself, representing the powerless and exploited working class, and she becomes a symbol of his own personal experiences and views.
• 😀 The play is not only a critique of capitalism but also an anti-war piece, drawing on Priestley's experiences as a soldier in WWI and his desire to prevent future wars by exposing the moral failings of the ruling classes.
• 😀 Priestley's bitterness about the First World War is evident in his criticism of the upper classes, who he believed treated soldiers as disposable, reflecting a lack of responsibility that he critiques in his play.
• 😀 Priestley attended Cambridge on a grant given to soldiers after the war, and his experiences there led him to criticize the privileged upper classes, as seen in his portrayal of characters like Eric, who personify the typical, irresponsible Cambridge undergraduate.
• 😀 Priestley’s 1933 national tour and subsequent book *The English Journey* highlighted his concerns about the suffering of the poor during the Great Depression, which influenced his portrayal of the working class and characters like Eva Smith.
• 😀 Priestley's political engagement extended to the founding of the Commonwealth Party in 1942 and his involvement in the campaign for nuclear disarmament, reflecting his commitment to social justice and global peace.
• 😀 Priestley rejected both a knighthood and a peerage, refusing to align with political parties, which underscores his commitment to independence and reveals his disdain for the honours system, especially when viewed in the context of characters like Sir George Croft in the play.
• 😀 The contrast between Priestley’s rejection of titles and the Birlings' obsession with social status emphasizes the moral weakness of characters like Mr. Birling, who is more interested in titles and status than in true service to society.

Q & A

How did Priestley's father influence his writing style in *An Inspector Calls*?

Priestley's father, a school teacher, influenced his use of a didactic tone in the play. The inspector in the play embodies this teacher-like role, explicitly conveying messages about social responsibility and the need for a welfare state.

What significance does the year 1912 have in Priestley's life and the setting of the play?

1912 was a pivotal year in Priestley's life as he published his first piece of writing. It also serves as the setting for *An Inspector Calls*, representing a key turning point for both Eva Smith and the Birlings, who fail to learn from their mistakes.

How does Priestley identify with Eva Smith in *An Inspector Calls*?

Eva Smith, who begins her writing journey in 1912, is seen as a reflection of Priestley himself. She represents the powerless, exploited individuals in society, while the inspector serves as a proxy for Priestley's own views on social responsibility.

What role does Priestley’s experience in World War I play in *An Inspector Calls*?

Priestley’s personal experience as a soldier in WWI shapes his anti-war views. The inspector's warning about 'fire and blood and anguish' reflects Priestley's bitter memories of the war and the senseless loss of working-class lives caused by the upper-class command.

How does Priestley critique the upper classes in the play?

Priestley critiques the upper classes through characters like Mr. Birling and Gerald, who display moral ignorance, lack of responsibility, and an obsession with status. This critique is informed by Priestley's own experiences with class prejudice during and after the war.

What does Priestley’s refusal of honors like knighthoods reveal about his views on social status?

Priestley’s refusal to accept knighthoods or peerages demonstrates his rejection of the British honor system, which he viewed as morally corrupt. This mirrors the behavior of characters like Mr. Birling, who craves titles to maintain his social status despite lacking true integrity.

How does Priestley use his own educational background to critique the upper classes?

Priestley’s education at Cambridge, which he completed in two years instead of three, highlights his intellect and determination, contrasting with the lazy, entitled attitudes of privileged characters like Eric, who represent the upper-class students at prestigious universities.

In what way does the Great Depression influence Priestley’s views in *An Inspector Calls*?

During the Great Depression, Priestley toured impoverished areas and published *The English Journey*, which highlighted social inequality. This experience shaped his portrayal of Eva Smith, who embodies the suffering of the working class, and his critique of capitalism in the play.

What is the connection between Priestley’s political activism and *An Inspector Calls*?

Priestley’s political activism, including his founding of the Commonwealth Party and his campaign for nuclear disarmament, aligns with the themes in *An Inspector Calls*. The play advocates for social responsibility and critiques the dangers of unchecked capitalist and political power.

Why does Priestley emphasize the inspector's role as a moral teacher in *An Inspector Calls*?

Priestley emphasizes the inspector's role as a moral teacher to underscore the play's message of social responsibility. The inspector acts as Priestley’s mouthpiece, challenging the Birlings and the audience to reflect on their own actions and the impact of their social class on others.