Context

Context

Context plays an important part in An Inspector Calls.  In order to get into the top bands for your exam, you will need to be able to refer to context and it’s implications in the play.

While the play was written in 1945, it is set in 1912.  This allows Priestly to play on the events of the past to make his characters appear stupid.  This is a comment on the social structure he found limiting in English society, and he makes a mockery of the upper classes (Mr. Birling in particular) in order to push his own ideology of socialism.

This is especially clear in the opening of the play, when Mr. Birling talks about the Titanic being unsinkable and the fact that strikes will not lead to reform in the business sector.  He also talks about “a time of steadily increasing prosperity”, when, in actual fact, the Wall Street Crash is what’s in their future.  The reason for this, as stated previously, is to push his own agenda and to ensure an audience watching this in 1945 would also agree that the Birling’s are too cocky and a bit stupid.

Gender roles also play a major part in An Inspector Calls.  In 1912, when this play was set, women were still seen as a lower class than men.  This is reinforced throughout the play, with Mr. Birling commanding the women (Sheila and Mrs. Birling), what to say and do.  However, the women start to contradict their male counterparts, which would have suited a 1946 audience, as after both wars, women started to fight for equal rights, as when the men were away the women took over their jobs.

Here's an essay which outlines the different gender roles and how an audience is supposed to react to them:

Here's another essay commenting on gender roles.  It's only half finished though, your job is to finish it, by commenting on how men are presented:

Social Class is another extremely important part of the play.  Throughout it’s very clear what the different social classes are and how they affect the characters.  Throughout the play, Priestly draws attention to the division between the social classes and comments on the impact of these classes on the individuals involved.

For example, he comments on how the upper classes, Mr. Birling, did very well out of the social division, whereas those who were considered lower class, Eva Smith, were basically (metaphorically and literally) left for dead.  This again reinforces his own agenda, pushing for an equal state, where no one benefited from the plight of the poor.

The Generation Gap is also an important concept within the play.  While Mr. and Mrs. Birling are set in their ways and seem almost incapable of change, Sheila and Eric are open to it.  This is important because it’s their actions and reactions to the evens that paint them as either empathetic to Eva’s story or antagonistic to it.  This then allows the audience to either bond with or detest certain characters.

1912 (SET)	1945 (WRITTEN)
WW1 would start in two years time.  Mr Birling’s optimistic view that there would not be a war is completely wrong.	WW2 ended 8th May 1945.  People were recovering from nearly 6 years of warfare, danger and uncertainty.
Strong distinctions between upper and lower classes.	Class distinctions had been greatly reduced due to the 2 wars.
Women were subservient to men. No real role except wife and mother (high class).	As a result of the wars, women had earned a more valued place in society.
Ruling classes felt nothing need to change with the ruling of the country.	Great desire for social change.  After 2WW Labour won victory over the Conservatives – Socialism began.