Robot Says…

"An Inspector Calls" is set in 1912, during the Edwardian period, a time when Britain experienced significant social inequality and limited social mobility. This context underpins the play's central themes of class, responsibility, and morality.
The Edwardian era saw widespread poverty and reliance on charitable organisations to provide basic needs, as there was no welfare state. This historical backdrop helps explain the plight of Eva Smith, who is forced to seek help after being dismissed from work and later refused aid by a charity.
Mrs Birling, a prominent member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation, embodies the attitudes of the wealthy towards charity at the time. Her refusal to help Eva, whom she describes as “a girl of that sort,” reflects the judgemental and dismissive approach of many Edwardian philanthropists.
The play critiques the reliance on charity in Edwardian Britain by highlighting its insufficiency and the stark inequalities it perpetuated. Inspector Goole challenges the Birlings’ complacency, stating, “We don’t live alone. We are members of one body.”
The lack of a comprehensive welfare state in Edwardian Britain left vulnerable individuals like Eva Smith without systemic support. This systemic failure is a key element of Priestley’s critique, urging audiences to reflect on the need for collective social responsibility.
Priestley uses the Edwardian setting to highlight the disparity between the upper and lower classes. The wealthy, represented by the Birling family, often viewed charity as a means to exert control rather than genuinely assist those in need.
The historical context of charitable organisations in Edwardian Britain serves as a vehicle for Priestley to explore moral hypocrisy. While Mrs Birling publicly champions charitable work, her personal prejudices lead to the denial of aid to Eva, directly contributing to her downfall.
By situating the play in Edwardian Britain, Priestley draws attention to the systemic failures of that society, encouraging post-war audiences to consider the importance of social reforms introduced in the 20th century, such as the welfare state.
The play’s powerful message, encapsulated in Inspector Goole’s warning, “If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish,” underscores the need for societal change and collective accountability, lessons deeply rooted in the Edwardian context. </aside>

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