An Inspector Calls Context Revision
Topic Detailed Contextual Information Relate to a Specific Quotation/Scene
Priestley’s Priestley was a socialist. He chaired the 1941 Committee which advocated left- Priestley uses the inspector as his authorial inset, who pushes for
Life wing policies, including nationalisation of key industries and ‘full and free socialism and denounces capitalism, while encouraging social
education, employment and a civilized standard of living for everyone.’ He was responsibility. “A chain of events” shows how the capitalistic business
also a co-founder of the Common Wealth Party, a socialist party that merged mindset unconsciously leads to deteriorating the quality of lives for the
with Labour. lower class and the only way to ‘break’ this chain is with a socialist
society. “Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as
Priestley wrote in ‘Delight’ (1949) that he wanted to ‘make myself – and other privileges”, which demonstrates how despite being wealthy, one must
people – aware of the harsh economic realities of our time.’ He also stated that he contribute positively to society and care for others, which is what a
‘grew up among socialists’. capitalistic society lacks. The theme of breaking the cycle continues
with “There are millions and millions of John Smiths and Eva Smiths
still left with us” – The inspector reveals how there are many chances
for redemption in the form of aiding members of the lower class with
compassion.
Priestley was fascinated by radical philosophies about time: Peter Ouspensky (life “A chain of events” shows how you should question your actions and
restarts after death: same parents, events etc. Cycle continues if person stays break the cycle of capitalism or they will have consequences on others
same. Cycle changes if person develops spiritually.). J. W. Dunne (some people and the cyclical nature of the 1912 system continues. The Inspector’s
can look back and forwards in time. Forwards = being aware of consequences of final speech foreshadows the world wars with “fire and blood and
actions so potential to alter the future.) Priestley wrote a series of plays in the 30s anguish”, as well as the satanic imagery representing the capitalists
& 40s that are referred to as ‘time plays’. He also published a non-fiction book on paying for their flaws with eternal damnation. This represents a
the subject in 1964 called ‘Man and Time’. precognitive dream and J.W Dunne’s theory of looking to the future
and altering your decisions to become a better person.
Finally, when the real Inspector calls at the end of the play using
similar wording, it gives the play a similar cyclical nature to Peter
Ouspensky’s theory, meaning that the Birlings can still repent and
escape the cycle by changing their lives.
1912 In the early 1910s, the gap between rich and poor reached a historic peak. The top The reason are capitalist businessmen exploiting the needs of the poor
(Context 1% of rich individuals owned the majority of Britain’s wealth. e.g., “for lower costs and higher prices” revealing how much they
of when control the economy and how little interest they have for the
the play is livelihoods of the lower classes.
set)
Only men over the age of 21 could vote. They also needed to be either a Birling holds very stereotypical ideas about women, “a sort of sign or
homeowner or rent a property for at least £10 a year. token of their self-respect” – he believes women are not important
Topic Detailed Contextual Information Relate to a Specific Quotation/Scene
Priestley’s Priestley was a socialist. He chaired the 1941 Committee which advocated left- Priestley uses the inspector as his authorial inset, who pushes for
Life wing policies, including nationalisation of key industries and ‘full and free socialism and denounces capitalism, while encouraging social
education, employment and a civilized standard of living for everyone.’ He was responsibility. “A chain of events” shows how the capitalistic business
also a co-founder of the Common Wealth Party, a socialist party that merged mindset unconsciously leads to deteriorating the quality of lives for the
with Labour. lower class and the only way to ‘break’ this chain is with a socialist
society. “Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as
Priestley wrote in ‘Delight’ (1949) that he wanted to ‘make myself – and other privileges”, which demonstrates how despite being wealthy, one must
people – aware of the harsh economic realities of our time.’ He also stated that he contribute positively to society and care for others, which is what a
‘grew up among socialists’. capitalistic society lacks. The theme of breaking the cycle continues
with “There are millions and millions of John Smiths and Eva Smiths
still left with us” – The inspector reveals how there are many chances
for redemption in the form of aiding members of the lower class with
compassion.
Priestley was fascinated by radical philosophies about time: Peter Ouspensky (life “A chain of events” shows how you should question your actions and
restarts after death: same parents, events etc. Cycle continues if person stays break the cycle of capitalism or they will have consequences on others
same. Cycle changes if person develops spiritually.). J. W. Dunne (some people and the cyclical nature of the 1912 system continues. The Inspector’s
can look back and forwards in time. Forwards = being aware of consequences of final speech foreshadows the world wars with “fire and blood and
actions so potential to alter the future.) Priestley wrote a series of plays in the 30s anguish”, as well as the satanic imagery representing the capitalists
& 40s that are referred to as ‘time plays’. He also published a non-fiction book on paying for their flaws with eternal damnation. This represents a
the subject in 1964 called ‘Man and Time’. precognitive dream and J.W Dunne’s theory of looking to the future
and altering your decisions to become a better person.
Finally, when the real Inspector calls at the end of the play using
similar wording, it gives the play a similar cyclical nature to Peter
Ouspensky’s theory, meaning that the Birlings can still repent and
escape the cycle by changing their lives.
1912 In the early 1910s, the gap between rich and poor reached a historic peak. The top The reason are capitalist businessmen exploiting the needs of the poor
(Context 1% of rich individuals owned the majority of Britain’s wealth. e.g., “for lower costs and higher prices” revealing how much they
of when control the economy and how little interest they have for the
the play is livelihoods of the lower classes.
set)
Only men over the age of 21 could vote. They also needed to be either a Birling holds very stereotypical ideas about women, “a sort of sign or
homeowner or rent a property for at least £10 a year. token of their self-respect” – he believes women are not important
