Key Context notes Flashcards
(7 cards)
Who was J. B. Priestley and what were his political beliefs?
J. B. Priestley was a middle-class writer who studied at Cambridge University. He was a Socialist and was critical of the middle and upper classes.
Priestley believed in social responsibility and equality.
When was An Inspector Calls written and when is it set?
It was written in 1945, just after World War II, but it is set in 1912, during the Edwardian era.
The play reflects the societal changes and issues of both periods.
What was Priestley’s aim in writing An Inspector Calls?
He wanted to highlight social inequality and promote Socialist ideas, encouraging people to take responsibility for others in society.
Priestley aimed to provoke thought about individual and collective responsibility.
What were women’s rights like in 1912?
Women couldn’t vote until 1918 and were considered unequal. Rich and middle-class women were expected to be housewives, while working-class women worked in factories and were poorly paid.
This reflects the limited societal roles available to women at the time.
What was Edwardian society like in 1912?
It was socially divided, with strong class differences. Edwardian England, under King Edward VII (1901–1910), was still very traditional, similar to Victorian England.
The class system significantly influenced people’s lives and opportunities.
What major historical events happened after the time the play is set?
World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945) both happened after the play’s setting in 1912.
These events shaped the social and political landscape of the 20th century.
Why is the 1912 setting important in An Inspector Calls?
Priestley uses dramatic irony to show how the characters’ confident predictions about the future (e.g. no war, unsinkable Titanic) are wrong, making the audience question their judgement and values.
This technique emphasizes the theme of social responsibility.
