39 pages • 1 hour read
J.B. PriestleyAn Inspector Calls
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1945A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: J. B. Priestley and Theater
John Boynton Priestley was a prominent English writer, playwright, and broadcaster. Born on September 13, 1894, in Bradford, Yorkshire, Priestley grew up in a relatively comfortable middle-class household that provided him with the intellectual and cultural foundation that would shape his later career. His early life was marked by the influence of his father, Jonathan Priestley, a headmaster, and his mother, Emma Holt Priestley. Priestley served in the trenches of World War I. The experience had a profound impact on him, influencing his later works and shaping his worldview. After the war, he attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and began his career as a freelance writer. His first novel, The Good Companions (1929), achieved success and established him as a notable literary figure.
Priestley emerged as a key figure in British theater in the 20th century. His plays are in conversation with the political and social upheaval of his time, exploring such issues as class divisions, social injustice, and the need for collective responsibility. An Inspector Calls is a prime example of his engagement with social issues. Set in 1912 but written in the aftermath of World War II, the play explores themes of guilt and accountability. Through Inspector Goole, Priestley delivers a message about the interconnectedness of human lives and the importance of recognizing shared responsibilities. His message resonated strongly with postwar audiences and the play has since become a classic of British theater.
Priestley’s political beliefs were integral to his creative output and public persona. He identified as a socialist and was an active member of the Labour Party. Priestley’s socialism was not purely theoretical; it was deeply rooted in his experiences and observations of the societal shifts occurring in the first half of the 20th century. In the postwar period, Priestley championed the establishment of the welfare state and the nationalization of key industries. His commitment to socialist ideals also led to his involvement in various political organizations and movements. However, Priestley’s political stance was not without controversy. He faced criticism from some quarters, particularly during the Cold War era. His outspoken left-wing beliefs and his refusal to conform to prevailing anti-communist sentiments led to clashes with conservative elements in British society.
Despite the political tensions of his time, Priestley’s influence endured. His works continue to be performed, studied, and adapted for new audiences. His legacy as a playwright and social commentator remains an integral part of the British cultural landscape, offering insights into the challenges and aspirations of a turbulent century.
Genre Context: Drawing-Room Theater
Drawing-room theater is a genre of drama that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is a reference to the genre’s domestic setting, namely, the private, often opulent, drawing rooms of upper-class homes. These plays typically revolved around the lives, manners, and social interactions of the bourgeoisie. The drawing-room setting, characterized by its elegance and formality, created an intimate atmosphere that allowed audiences to witness the subtleties of interpersonal dynamics up close. Plays within this genre were known for their focus on dialogue, character development, and the exploration of social mores. One of the defining features of drawing-room theater was its ability to reflect and critique the societal norms and expectations of the upper middle class.
An Inspector Calls, while not a traditional drawing-room play, incorporates elements of the genre. The play unfolds in the dining room of the Birling family’s house, creating an environment that echoes the drawing-room tradition. The Birling family, enjoying a celebratory evening, represents the upper echelons of society in pre-World War I England, and the dining room becomes a microcosm of their privileged world, complete with fine furniture and a sense of exclusivity. However, where traditional drawing-room plays often focused on domestic comedies or melodramas, portraying the lives and romantic entanglements of the upper class, Priestley uses the drawing-room setting to dissect the moral fabric of this elite class and scrutinize their attitudes toward social responsibility. The play is effectively a hybrid of drawing-room theater and social drama.
The significance of drawing-room theater extends beyond An Inspector Calls. Playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, Noël Coward, and George Bernard Shaw were notable contributors to the genre. Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) is a classic example of drawing-room comedy, utilizing witty dialogue and satirical humor to critique the social conventions of the time. The play’s farcical elements, coupled with its drawing-room setting, reflect the genre’s penchant for exploring the foibles of the upper class. Noël Coward, a key figure in drawing-room theater, crafted works that epitomized the sophistication and style of the genre. Private Lives (1930), one of Coward’s most celebrated plays, unfolds in a chic French Riviera hotel, blending elements of drawing-room comedy with sharp repartee and societal commentary. Coward’s plays often featured glamorous settings and characters grappling with love, marriage, and social expectations, embodying the essence of drawing-room theater. George Bernard Shaw, while known for his contributions to social and political drama, also dabbled in drawing-room theater with works such as Pygmalion (1913). Shaw’s drawing-room elements serve as a backdrop for a broader examination of social inequality and individual agency.
Historical Context: Britain Between Two Wars
An Inspector Calls is set in 1912. The early 20th century marked a period of significant social, economic, and political change in Britain, setting the stage for the outbreak of World War I in 1914. During this time, British society was deeply stratified along class lines. The rigid class structure, often depicted as a pyramid, consisted of the aristocracy at the top, followed by the upper middle class, the lower middle class, and the working class at the base. The aristocracy, comprising wealthy landowners and titled individuals, held considerable political and economic power. The upper middle class, consisting of industrialists, professionals, and successful businessmen (such as the Birling and Croft families), sought to emulate aristocratic lifestyles. The lower middle class aspired to climb the social ladder. The working class, comprising manual laborers, faced economic challenges and limited access to education and political influence. They are represented in the play by Eva and Edna.
As industrialization progressed, the disparities between the social classes became more pronounced. The working class experienced harsh working conditions, long hours, and low wages. This led to the rise of socialist movements advocating for workers’ rights and a more equitable distribution of wealth and power. The Labour Party was officially formed in 1900 and was a political force representing the interests of the working class. It sought to address issues such as workers’ rights, social welfare, and the nationalization of key industries. The Labour Party’s growth reflected a shift in political dynamics, challenging the dominance of the traditional Conservative and Liberal parties. Intellectuals and activists like George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells, and Sidney and Beatrice Webb contributed to the dissemination of socialist ideas, as did J. B. Priestley in later years.
Despite the socioeconomic upheavals and political shifts, traditional notions of etiquette remained deeply ingrained in Edwardian society. The upper classes, especially the aristocracy, adhered to a strict code of conduct governing social interactions, dress, and manners. Etiquette served as a symbolic boundary, reinforcing social distinctions. The lower and middle classes, while aspiring to climb the social ladder, often imitated the manners and fashions of the upper classes as a way of signaling their own aspirations. Social mobility, though limited, was not entirely absent, and individuals sought to navigate the intricate web of societal expectations to advance their status.
The complex dynamics of class, the rise of socialism, and the persistence of etiquette all contributed to a period of tension and change. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 marked a turning point that would reshape British society profoundly, contrary to the predictions of Arthur Birling. The war disrupted existing social structures, led to economic shifts, and challenged traditional gender roles as women took on new responsibilities in the absence of men.
