In what ways does the play 'An Inspector Calls' reflect the cultural, social and historical conditions of the time in which it was set.

In 1912 there was a clear division in social status. Britain was separated into two classes, Upper class and lower class, the rich class and the poor class. During this time 87% of the countries wealth was owned by 5% of the population. This meant that 8 million poor people were earning and living on less than 25 shillings a week. Eva Smith represented these people in the play. This shows how the rich exploited the poor by making them do manual labour for little money. Priestley's min social message in he play is that of corporate responsibility and how we should all look after each other. This view is the same as the socialists of the time.

The play puts forward the point of how class-conscious England was at the time, and how the Capitalistic ideals are shown. Priestly was a socialist and therefore he systematically attacks the Birling's Capitalistic ideals and creates a character, who is seen as 'hard hearted' towards the lower classes. Birling is a ruthless industrialist whose wealth and popularity is threatened by a suicide scandal. Birling's attitude of 'high prices and lower costs' develops throughout the play. His views towards Eva are clear from the beginning. Birling does not feel at all responsible for contributing to Eva death; he in fact thinks the allegations are quite absurd. Birling believes that 'if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody......it would be very awkward'

The Birlings are portrayed as Capitalist's whilst the Inspector has Socialist views. Mr. Birling being a self made Capitalist and his wife also has great belief in the family name, and works hard to keep a good reputation for herself and her family. Birling shows his Capitalist views with the speech 'Still, I can't accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward.' The secretive but most sympathetic of the Birling's is Eric their son, who has a great deal to do with Eva Smith. Another key member in the play is Sheila's fiancé Gerald Croft. The empathy he shows towards Eva smith may have been how Gerald and Eva were able to develop a relationship, even if it did not last. Each of these people in turn is implicated by Eva's death. Priestley puts his hopes and his beliefs in Sheila and Eric, whose consciences their rich mother and father have not yet destroyed and whose minds are still open to change. Sheila showed remorse towards her actions which led to Eva being sacked. She felt responsible and regretted complaining.

It becomes clearer as the play goes on that the characters have become drawn into the manipulative control of the inspector and are forced out of their secure upper-class shells. As the play continues Priestley shows how Capitalists can use their wealth over the poor for their own advantage and that they exercise power and control over their lives. The first issue being when Birling sacks Eva because she asked for a pay rise. Birling sacks her to be made an example of and to show that he is not willing to share a few pence of his wealth with the lower class. He later justifies his actions by saying 'we were paying the usual rates and if they didn't like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It's a free country,' Mr. birling wants 'high prices at low costs' and is willing to sack his disposable and easily replaceable staff. He sees no need to keep staff employed, as he believes that it is a free country and the working class could find work anywhere. This is far from the truth as we find out in the play.

During the whole play Priestley conveys sympathy towards Eva; he does this to make the audience feel sorry, not just for Eva but for all of the working-class people of England during that period in time. At the time when this play would have been watched, the audience would have consisted of upper class citizens. Many of these citizens would have ha the same views as birling. This was Priestley's main way of actually making fun of the audience that was watching the play. This is known as dramatic irony.

Priestley is a strong Socialist and shows this by portraying the Birling's as a ruthless family. Priestley cleverly uses Eric and Gerald in the play, as they both sleep with Eva Smith, thus causing a family disgrace because they had been with someone from a lower class. In 1912 scandal and disgrace would have been brought on to any family in the Birling's situation. Birling tries to prevent the scandal from being revealed by commenting 'look-there's nothing mysterious-or scandalous about this business-at least not as far as I am concerned' If a scandal was to be released then the birlings reputation would be damaged and this would cause a possible loss in business and profit. If his reputation is damaged he may not receive his knighthood. This shows how important social status is to Mr. birling and of the middle class of the Edwardian era.

It must be remembered that not actual legal crime has been committed. None of the Birlings or Gerald physically killed Eva Smith. What Priestly was trying to portray was that the Birlings had a moral responsibility to the death of Eva. Birling represents the Upper Class Capitalists, and Eva Smith represented the Working Class Socialists.

The speech The Inspector makes before leaving the Birling household sum up Priestley's views and the views that were beginning to emerge during the time in which the play was set. He asks the Birlings and indeed the audience to 'Just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone but there are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, with what we think, say, and do. We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish. Good Night."

And final PG

By Zoe Spencer 10F