Priestley, J.B.: 1894-1984

An Inspector Calls, 1945 - Information about the Book

General Information | Facts | Commentary | Articles | Podcasts

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Social Responsibility
  Morality and Guilt
  Class Inequality
- In "An Inspector Calls" the mysterious Inspector Goole interrogates the prosperous Birling family, revealing their intertwined roles in a young woman’s tragic death and exposing their moral hypocrisy. See Summary.
- The play was first performed in 1945 in two Russian theaters - the Kamerny Theatre in Moscow and the Comedy Theatre in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The first British production opened in 1946 at the New Theatre in London and in October 1947 at the Booth Theatre on Broadway.
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- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
- J.B. Priestley’s inspiration for writing “An Inspector Calls.”
  
  Priestley’s early years in Bradford, working in a wool merchant’s office, exposed him to the disparities between the working and upper classes. This period influenced his portrayal of Eva Smith as a symbol of the exploited working class and his critique of the privileged Birlings, who embody capitalist selfishness.
  Priestley enlisted in 1914 at the age of 20 and served during World War I. The horrors of war profoundly impacted him, fostering a belief that societal change was necessary to prevent future conflicts. This is evident in the Inspector’s warning about “fire and blood and anguish,” which symbolizes the devastating consequences of ignoring collective responsibility—a direct reference to the two World Wars.
  
  Setting the play in 1912—a time just before World War I—allowed Priestley to highlight missed opportunities for societal reform. He viewed this era as a “fork in history,” where humanity chose a path that led to war and suffering. By reflecting on this period through the lens of 1945, Priestley emphasized the need to learn from past mistakes.
Facts
- Awards:
  While the original 1947 Broadway production does not appear to have won any major awards, the play became a major critical success decades later.
- Topics
  
  Social Responsibility
  One of the central themes is the idea of social responsibility and how the wealthy upper classes treated and exploited the working class. The Inspector serves as a voice for social conscience, interrogating the Birling family about their callous treatment of Eva Smith/Daisy Renton that ultimately led to her suicide. The play criticizes the lack of compassion and accountability among the privileged classes.
  Capitalism vs. Socialism
  The play contrasts the capitalist, profit-driven mindset of Mr. Birling with the socialist values of community and equality espoused by the Inspector. It suggests that unchecked capitalism and greed can lead to human suffering, while advocating for a more ethical, socially responsible system.
  
  Class Divide
  The vast class divide between the wealthy Birling family and the working-class Eva Smith is stark. The play highlights the power imbalance and how the upper classes could drastically impact the lives of the lower classes through their actions or inaction.
  
  Gender Roles
  Sheila's jealousy towards Eva's beauty, which led to her getting Eva fired, touches on the constraints and expectations placed on women at the time. The play also examines the differing attitudes towards women between the older and younger generations.
  
  Generational Divide
  There is a clear generational gap between the older, set-in-their-ways Birlings and the younger Sheila and Eric who are more open to the Inspector's message of social responsibility. This reflects the changing attitudes of post-war Britain.
  
  In essence, "An Inspector Calls" uses the premise of a mysterious inspector's interrogation to deliver a scathing critique of the moral failings of capitalism and the upper classes, while advocating for a more ethical, socialist society.
- General Perception
  
  Many critics praised the play for its strong moral message and its clever structure. The play's use of a mysterious inspector to reveal the moral failings of a prosperous family was seen as innovative and compelling.
  Some critics felt the play was too didactic, with its message about social responsibility being delivered too heavy-handedly. A few reviews found the plot to be somewhat contrived, particularly the supernatural elements surrounding the character of the inspector. The play's structure and themes were considered by some as lacking subtlety, with clear moral distinctions that didn't allow for much ambiguity.
  
  Over time, "An Inspector Calls" has become a staple of British theatre and literature, studied in schools and frequently performed. Its initial reception set the stage for its enduring popularity, with the play being seen as a timeless critique of social inequality and moral complacency.
  
  Overall, "An Inspector Calls" in 1947 was seen as a thought-provoking and socially relevant piece of theatre, with its critical and audience reception laying the groundwork for its lasting significance in British cultural history.
Commentary
- J.B. Priestley’s "An Inspector Calls" is a compelling morality play set in 1912, exploring themes of social responsibility, class, and moral accountability. The plot revolves around the wealthy Birling family, whose celebratory evening is interrupted by the arrival of Inspector Goole. He investigates their involvement in the tragic suicide of Eva Smith, a working-class woman. Through his questioning, the Inspector exposes the selfishness and moral failings of each character, particularly Arthur and Sybil Birling’s indifference and Gerald Croft’s affair with Eva.
  Priestley contrasts the older generation’s resistance to change with the younger generation’s potential for moral growth, as seen in Sheila and Eric’s willingness to accept responsibility. The play critiques capitalist values and emphasizes collective accountability, warning of societal collapse if individuals neglect their duty to others. Its cyclical ending—where another inspector is announced—reinforces the idea that lessons unlearned will repeat themselves.
  
  Through its timeless themes and dramatic tension, "An Inspector Calls" remains a powerful critique of social inequality and moral complacency.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Looking at reviews from the 1940s: "The video provides useful contextual information about the play’s setting, Priestley’s intentions and social background, but it isn’t deeply analytical."
- Glossary of Key Terms: "The PDF is a glossary of terminology and key concepts related to An Inspector Calls (definitions of literary techniques, structural terms and contextual vocabulary)." (pdf 10pp)
- Themes: "The article clearly explains the key themes and Priestley’s messages, especially social responsibility and society’s interconnectedness, with straightforward examples." BBC
- How JB Priestley’s Inspector first called on the USSR: "The article focuses mainly on the historical anecdote of the play’s unusual first staging in the USSR." The Guardian; August 29, 2015
- Explantion 1: "The video gives a general thematic explanation and some context about Priestley’s intentions."
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Dramatic Effect: "The article provides clear and helpful analysis, covering key plot points, characters, themes (like responsibility, class and social attitudes), and Priestley’s moral and social message." BBC
- Key quotes for Mr Birling: "The article offers clear, structured explanations of Mr Birling’s key quotes with contextual analysis tied to Priestley’s themes and dramatic irony, making it genuinely informative."
- A Detailed Analysis of An Inspector Calls: "The article provides a thorough, detailed, scene‑by‑scene analysis that explains character actions, themes, and Priestley’s intended social critique in a way that would be informative for students studying the text." Codexterous
- The Play's Unique Place in Drama. "The article gives a clear and insightful analysis of the play’s genre and dramatic place, explaining how An Inspector Calls both follows and challenges traditional theatrical conventions and situates it within broader dramatic traditions." GradeSaver
- Explantion 2: "The video goes into detailed analysis of key character roles (especially Eva Smith) and themes, helping explain Priestley’s intentions and the play’s social critique."
Podcasts:
- Podcast
  As a social commentator, Priestley puts a mirror before us and asks, “What do you see?”
- Podcast
  Discussion of themes such as the responsibility of the governments, social climbing and juvenoia
- More podcasts, eg on Genre and First Impressions, Who is Most to Blame? etc