Why did Priestley set ‘An Inspector Calls’ in 1912 when it was written
in 1945?
‘An Inspector Calls’, written by J.B. Priestley in 1945, is a well-made,
dining-room play, which critiques social injustice and class structures
while engaging with the political and moral concerns prevalent in 1912.
The play is set in 1912, a period prior to the First World War, the sinking of
the Titanic and the major social and political shifts that occurred in the
following decades. Priestley’s choice to set the drama in 1912, despite it
being written in 1945, is deliberate and serves several functions: to
emphasise the tension between the past and the present, to provide a
lens for critiquing contemporary societal structures (through dramatic
irony) and to showcase the thematic contrasts between pre-war
optimism and post-war discontent.
The period of 1912 was of great social and political division, particularly
between the upper and lower classes. The working class was beginning
to demand better rights, with the rise of trade unions and the growing
momentum of the suffragette movement (between 1908 and 1914).
However, this was still a time when the ruling classes maintained a
strong sense of entitlement and a belief in their superiority. The
characters in ‘An Inspector Calls’ reflect this attitude, especially the
Birling family, who represent the established upper class. Mr Birling, the
self-assured patriarch, epitomises the complacent, capitalist attitudes
of the time: "The Titanic – she sails next week… and unsinkable,
absolutely unsinkable". His confident assertions are indicative of the
arrogance of the upper classes in 1912, unaware of the impending events
that would dramatically alter the political and social landscape.
Another example of where Priestley has employed this method is when
Mr Birling claims that “there isn’t a chance of war’ and war is
“impossible”. The audience is aware of the catastrophic outcomes that
would follow the events of 1912, which makes the characters’ attitudes
and complacency all the more reprehensible. By setting the play in 1912,
Priestley was able to emphasize the typical arrogance of the capitalist
ideology, particularly through dramatic irony, as seen in phrases like
this.
The Inspector’s role is crucial in drawing out this dramatic irony. He is a
moral force (Priestley’s mouthpiece) who stands in opposition to the
complacent and self-satisfied Birlings. By highlighting the
consequences of their actions, he forces them (and the audience) to
confront the reality of a society that permits such inequality and
injustice. The Inspector’s statement, "We are members of one body. We
are responsible for each other", presents a stark contrast to the
individualism and disregard for others adopted by characters like Mr.
in 1945?
‘An Inspector Calls’, written by J.B. Priestley in 1945, is a well-made,
dining-room play, which critiques social injustice and class structures
while engaging with the political and moral concerns prevalent in 1912.
The play is set in 1912, a period prior to the First World War, the sinking of
the Titanic and the major social and political shifts that occurred in the
following decades. Priestley’s choice to set the drama in 1912, despite it
being written in 1945, is deliberate and serves several functions: to
emphasise the tension between the past and the present, to provide a
lens for critiquing contemporary societal structures (through dramatic
irony) and to showcase the thematic contrasts between pre-war
optimism and post-war discontent.
The period of 1912 was of great social and political division, particularly
between the upper and lower classes. The working class was beginning
to demand better rights, with the rise of trade unions and the growing
momentum of the suffragette movement (between 1908 and 1914).
However, this was still a time when the ruling classes maintained a
strong sense of entitlement and a belief in their superiority. The
characters in ‘An Inspector Calls’ reflect this attitude, especially the
Birling family, who represent the established upper class. Mr Birling, the
self-assured patriarch, epitomises the complacent, capitalist attitudes
of the time: "The Titanic – she sails next week… and unsinkable,
absolutely unsinkable". His confident assertions are indicative of the
arrogance of the upper classes in 1912, unaware of the impending events
that would dramatically alter the political and social landscape.
Another example of where Priestley has employed this method is when
Mr Birling claims that “there isn’t a chance of war’ and war is
“impossible”. The audience is aware of the catastrophic outcomes that
would follow the events of 1912, which makes the characters’ attitudes
and complacency all the more reprehensible. By setting the play in 1912,
Priestley was able to emphasize the typical arrogance of the capitalist
ideology, particularly through dramatic irony, as seen in phrases like
this.
The Inspector’s role is crucial in drawing out this dramatic irony. He is a
moral force (Priestley’s mouthpiece) who stands in opposition to the
complacent and self-satisfied Birlings. By highlighting the
consequences of their actions, he forces them (and the audience) to
confront the reality of a society that permits such inequality and
injustice. The Inspector’s statement, "We are members of one body. We
are responsible for each other", presents a stark contrast to the
individualism and disregard for others adopted by characters like Mr.
