An Inspector Calls: Context (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature)

An Inspector Calls historical context

The play is set in 1912 and this period saw the decline of the Edwardian era which had been noted for its relative economic stability and social order. It was also a period characterised by significant industrial prosperity in Britain, with rapid advancements in technology. Just two years after the outbreak of World War I, this era was imbued with a sense of optimism and progress, epitomised by the colossal ocean liner the RMS Titanic, which demonstrated the era’s technological advancements. 

An Inspector Calls political context

Priestley was a staunch advocate for Socialism and he uses the play to convey the moral failings of Capitalism through the privileged Birling family. Additionally, the play addresses the constrained roles and expectations placed on women and the growing political demands for gender equality.

Capitalism and Socialism

• Within the play, two opposing political, economic and social schools of thought are presented:

  • Capitalism is presented as a system in which abuse and exploitation of the poor and disadvantaged is inevitable

  • Socialism is presented as a system which promotes equality and views society as a whole   

• In 1912, England was governed by a conservative right-wing government where Capitalism was the dominant political ideology of the day:

  • By 1945, a left-wing government had just been elected which advocated more socialist values and ideals

  • The Labour Party envisaged a society in which all citizens would be free from the fear of poverty 

• By setting the play in this period, Priestley aims to show Capitalism to be a morally unacceptable political view:

  • Socialism emerged in the 1940s in an attempt to find a more humane economic system than Capitalism

• In 1912, workers had little or no rights and were largely unprotected by unions and a developed Welfare State, leaving them vulnerable and subject to exploitation:

  • While social welfare reforms began to evolve in the 1900s in England, it was the introduction of the Welfare State in the 1940s that provided much greater protection for the social and economic welfare of citizens 

  • World War II had decimated towns and cities in England and issues such as healthcare, housing, education, and employment benefits were viewed as essential policies 

  • By 1945, workers’ rights had been marginally improved and Socialism is depicted as an instrument of the labour movement, making it more responsive to worker’s needs

Gender 

• In 1912, women were largely seen to be subservient to men and had significantly fewer rights

• During this period, the suffragette movement campaigned for gender equality for women:

  • It was a time of increasing political agitation for women’s rights

• Priestley demonstrates how women, especially working-class women, could be exploited and abused by those with wealth and power

• At the beginning of the play, Sheila plays a typical role within her patriarchal society and is obedient to her father:

  • This can be contrasted to her behaviour as the play develops and she begins to challenge her father and refuses to take back Gerald’s engagement ring 

• In contrast, Sheila uses her status to get another woman fired from her position at a time when women were fighting to have greater recognition in the workplace:

  • Sheila belongs to a class where women would never be expected to provide for themselves

• Unmarried pregnant women would have been heavily ostracised by society in 1912

• By 1945, there would still have been significant stigma attached to Eva’s pregnancy

An Inspector Calls social context

The play explores the limited social provisions and rigid class structures in early 20th-century Britain. The play critiques the disparities between the wealthy Birling family and the working-class individuals they exploit. 

Social provision

• In 1912, little social provision for the poor meant financial assistance became the responsibility of charities:

  • Priestley attempts to illustrate how unfair the system was and highlight the need for government intervention

  • Through the Inspector, Priestley argues that members of a society have duties and obligations towards the welfare of others 

• In contrast, by 1945 there was a greater desire for social reform:

  • A series of social welfare policies were introduced between 1945–1951, so that the vulnerable in society would be offered some protection

  • The 1942 Beveridge Report advocated a system of social insurance for every citizen regardless of income which led to, for example, the Family Allowances Act 1945 and National Health Service Act 1946

Class

• The hierarchical class system was very dominant in Edwardian society

• At the start of the 20th century, British society was broadly divided into three classes — upper, middle class and working class:

  • After two World Wars, this system was no longer viewed as the only possible societal structure

  • The Great Depression (1929–1939) resulted in economic hardship and mass unemployment throughout the world

  • The majority of British people, especially the working class, demanded social change

• Priestley is concerned to show the social extremes of the class system:

  • The play is set two years before World War I and was written when World War II ended

• By 1945, two world wars had dramatically altered views about class 

An Inspector Calls literary context

The 1940s witnessed a surge in literature promoting Socialist ideals and there was a growing interest in realism in literature. 

• An Inspector Calls was published in 1945, a time which saw a significant shift towards realism in literature:

  • Realism attempts to create literature in which the world is presented as it exists

  • Its purpose is to present everyday experiences as they are in real life, even if they are monotonous and mundane

  • Writers sought to portray the harsh realities of life that was heavily influenced by the aftermath of World War I

• The genre of the play is that of social drama, which gained prominence during this period:

  • Writers used social drama to critique societal norms and advocate for social reform

  • There was a growing interest in themes of social justice, equality and collective responsibility 

• The play follows a traditional three-act structure which utilises many conventions of the detective genre, though some have been subverted

• Priestley incorporates elements of Greek tragedy, particularly the Three Unities: 

  • Unity of Place: the play is set in one location

  • Unity of Time: the events are enacted in real time

  • Unity of Action: the play has only one plot (no sub-plots are included)