Whole Text

Question 1

How would Priestley’s background influence the play?

Answer

• Priestley was from a modest background, like Birling, but worked hard to climb the social ladder and achieve economic success.
• Priestley was concerned with the idea of social responsibility, workers' rights and the rich helping the poor. The fact that he had worked in a factory, like Eva Smith, and experienced warfare would influence its socialist and progressive ideas.

Question 2

What is significant about the fact that the play was written in 1947 but set in 1912?

Answer

• 1912 was a time of social and political change. There was a new Liberal government, with a Chancellor, David Lloyd George, who wanted to reduce the power of the House of Lords and share the nation’s wealth more equally to provide unemployment relief and old age pensions. Birling refers to these ‘dangerous ideas’ and seems very Victorian in his outlook with his firm belief in the upholding of the class system, big business and self help.
• In 1912 the Labour Party were making gains and there was an increase in Trade Union activity demanding better working conditions and better pay, with which Eric sympathises (‘why shouldn’t they…?) and Eva Smith represents. They were dismissed by many Conservatives and businessmen as ‘Communist’, a view Birling shares.
• The fact the play was written after World War Two makes a lot of what Birling says in his opening speech appear ironic but the audience has to ask the question, how far had society moved on since 1912? Priestley seems to be suggesting not much as the experience of World War One did not end the complacency which led to World War Two.