Social and Historical Context of "An Inspector Calls
Explore the social and historical background of "An Inspector Calls" by considering World War One, World War Two, the Titanic, labor strikes, and the Great Depression. Delve into the class system, British society, economic challenges, and cultural perspectives of the early 1900s. Reflect on how these contexts shaped the characters and themes in the play, providing a deeper understanding of Priestley's intentions.
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Links to film and audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCUicpoLa3o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXT0FgfrQWM Listen to the BBC audio from the beginning to the sound of the doorbell. What are your first impressions of these characters? TODAY S KEY QUESTIONS: Can I learn about and consider the social and historical context of An Inspector Calls ? 2. Can I discuss Priestley s purpose in writing the play? Can I read, understand and respond to the text in order to accurately understand Priestley s ideas? 1. 3.
YOUR TASK This next task is designed to help you learn about the SOCIAL/HISTORICAL context of An Inspector Calls . Your task is to design a CONTEXT MAP Use the prompt cards to help you with your research. Ensure you are going into enough depth and detail as possible. TODAY S KEY QUESTIONS: Can I learn about and consider the social and historical context of An Inspector Calls ? Can I discuss Priestley s purpose in writing the play? Can I read, understand and respond to the text in order to accurately understand Priestley s ideas?
WORLD WAR ONE AND TWO TITANIC Why, a friend of mine went over this new liner last week the Titanic she sails next week forty-six thousand eight hundred tons New York in five days and every luxury and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable. Arthur Birling You'll hear some people say that war's inevitable. And to that I say fiddlesticks! The Germans don't want war. Nobody wants war, except some half-civilized folks in the Balkans. Arthur Birling What was the Titanic and what happened to it? How did World War 1 start? How can the Titanic be seen as representative of the class system of the early 1900s? Research what life was like for an Officer in World War 1. What was their average life expectancy? Research what life was like for a First Class passenger and a Third Class passenger. What were the differences? What was life like for people in Britain in World War 1? What were conditions like for working class citizens compared to the upper class? Research the American Dream. Can you link this to the Titanic? Why does Priestley have Birling mention the Titanic? What does it say about Birling as a character? How did World War 2 challenge society s views of women? What were their roles? Research other facts about Titanic that relate to the class system. How did World War 1 and World War 2 propel Russia to become a super power? Research any records the Titanic beat/created. How does this topic relate to An Inspector Calls ? THINK DEEPER: Can you relate the idea of human arrogance to Titanic? Consider why Mr. Birling of all people mentions Titanic. What does this tell us about society at the time and how can you relate this to An Inspector Calls ? THINK DEEPER: Who was the Kaiser of Germany in 1912 and what did he threaten in his speeches?
LABOUR/STRIKES THE GREAT DEPRESSION Last month, just because the miners came out on strike, there's a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the near future. Don't worry. We've passed the worst of it. Arthur Birling And we're in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity. - Arthur Birling What was the Great Depression? Which strike is Birling referencing when he says, last month, just because the miners came out on strike, there s a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the near future ? (p.6) What was the British economy (business/industry etc) like at this time in the 1930s? How did the Great Depression affect the upper and lower classes in Britain at the time? What was the 1926 General Strike? Why was it called and how did it affect British citizens? How do you think the Great Depression would affect business owners like Mr. Birling? Why would people like Birling be against the strike? What is the point of a union and what role did they play in the General Strike? Research other interesting facts about the Great Depression. Can you find any events that prove Birling wrong when he says, We re in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity ? (Remember, the play is set in 1912 and was performed in 1946). The audience have experienced the Great Depression at this point and so they will know that Birling does not know what he is talking about. Why did Labour win the 1945 general election? THINK DEEPER: How does this topic relate to An Inspector Calls ? How does this topic relate to An Inspector Calls ? THINK DEEPER: What was the Jarrow Crusade? Why were these people striking? Go into as much detail as possible.
CAPITALISM vs SOCIALISM But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters and I ve learnt in the good hard school of experience that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself Arthur Birling What is capitalism? What is socialism? Was J.B Priestley a capitalist or a socialist? Bearing this in mind, why does he have Birling promoting capitalist views? Can you find examples of capitalism and socialism before and after World War 2? Can you find examples of capitalism and socialism in 2017? How does this topic relate to An Inspector Calls ? THINK DEEPER: How and why did capitalism affect the lower class in the 1900s? Why did upper class citizens like Birling dislike socialism?
