Context (An Inspector Calls)
Before the first world war and sinking of the Titanic.
Women had fewer rights and opportunities.
After two world wars & after the titanic sank.
Women had more rights, opportunities and responsibilities.
Workers rapidly moving to cities.
Since workers were all together, their ideas were spreading faster.
Bosses were threatened by workers like Eva (e.g. due to riots).
Workers felt that their skills werenāt being valued.
Technology at this time was unreliable but people were optimistic about ti (e.g. Titanic).
Country was struggling after the wars.
Labour party was first to openly support the working class- giving hope to working class.
Churchill didnāt appease working class people and thus lost his power- message of the play.
In 1912, strong distinctions existed between the upper and lower classes.
However, by 1945, class distinctions had been greatly reduced due to the 2 world wars.
In 1945, first Labour government had just been elected- showed public was more open to change. This government was closer to Priestleyās views.
Priestley wanted change but not a violent revolution, like in Russia in 1917.
Women were subservient to men.
All a rich woman could do was get married; a poor women was seen as cheap labour.
In 1945, due to the wars, women had earned a more valued place in society.
Priestley believed inĀ āeternal recurrenceā: the idea that you would repeat your life over and over again until you had made all of the right choices.
Massive population growth- led to disease being spread faster etc.
People worked long hours for little pay- many turned to prostitution.
Life expectancy was very low.
