An Inspector Calls: Context

?

An Inspector Calls: Social and Historical Context

J.B Priestley:

- Born in Bradford 1894. Mother was a former millworker and father was a schoolmaster

- Wrote a regular column in a newspaper where he voiced his opinion and shared views which included arguing against the iminent war

- Was in the army during WW1 and emerged from his experience with deep loathing of the class system

- He was a popular public figure and had a strong belief in the importance of shared social responsibility - something we see throughout the play

Historical and Cultural Context:

- An Inspector Calls was written for a post-war audience, but it is set in Spring 1912. The context of the play is close to that of the Edwardian era as seen from a Second World War perspective

- Play takes place in a fictional town called Brumley,  city in the North Midlands. Whole play takes place in Birling dining room, urban setting is only used to allow audience to imagine slum like conditions workers and employed might have had to live in

- Between 1912 and 1945 British society changed drastically, probably due to both of the world wars…

Comments

No comments have yet been made