An Inspector Calls Historical Context Flashcards
(49 cards)
What year is the setting of An Inspector Calls?
1912
This is just before World War I.
What class divisions existed in 1912 according to An Inspector Calls?
Strict class divisions
The upper classes had enormous wealth, while the working class had little power.
What dominated the economy in 1912?
Capitalism
Employers had significant power over workers without protections.
What rights did women have in 1912?
Very few rights
Women could not vote and had limited job opportunities.
How does Eva Smith’s situation reflect the Edwardian era?
It reflects injustice and inequality
Particularly for poor women.
When was An Inspector Calls first performed?
1945
This was just after World War II.
What significant political event occurred in 1945?
Labour Party’s landslide victory
Initiated the creation of the welfare state.
What did the war reveal about society’s needs?
Need for unity and collective responsibility
This aligns with Priestley’s arguments in the play.
What does Eva Smith symbolize in An Inspector Calls?
Failings of pre-war capitalism
She represents the need for a fairer society.
What was the societal expectation of women in 1912?
Obey men and have limited opportunities
Women like Eva often worked in factories or as maids.
What is the significance of the term ‘fallen woman’?
It labels women who had sex outside marriage
Eva is branded this due to her relationship with Eric.
What does Priestley criticize through Mrs Birling’s character?
Hypocrisy
She runs a charity but refuses to help Eva.
What does the Poor Law system reflect about welfare in 1912?
It was harsh and humiliating
Designed to deter people from seeking help.
What does Eva’s tragic story illustrate?
Cycles of poverty and lack of safety net
One misfortune leads to another, ending in despair.
What major societal movement was gaining momentum in 1912?
Suffragette movement
Women were demanding the vote and challenging gender roles.
What does Priestley argue is necessary for society?
Structural change
People need rights, not just charity.
What does Mr Birling’s dismissal of Eva represent?
Arrogance and cruelty of employers
It reflects the treatment of workers seeking better conditions.
What did the Beveridge Report outline in 1942?
Plans for tackling the five giant evils
Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness.
How does Priestley use Eva’s character in relation to social reform?
As a universal symbol of those society fails
A warning against repeating history.
What was the role of working-class women in 1912?
Long hours in dangerous, low-paid jobs
They faced risks of ending up in prostitution or dependency.
True or False: Eva’s story highlights the double standards in society regarding gender.
True
Men faced little or no consequences for similar actions.
What was the state of industrial capitalism in Britain by 1912?
Britain was at the peak of industrial capitalism with factories and harsh working conditions
Cities like Brumley exemplify the issues faced by workers during this time.
What power did employers have over workers in 1912?
Employers had absolute power, leading to instant dismissal for striking or demanding better pay
There were no legal protections for workers.
How did trade unions function in 1912?
Trade unions were growing but still weak, seen as a threat to profit and authority by employers like Mr Birling.
