39 pages • 1 hour read
An Inspector Calls
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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 Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
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