An Inspector Calls - Context by Naomi Franchetto https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6 Considering the author, history, stagecraft and literacy context. en-us 2020-05-04 10:17:33 UTC 2025-11-02 01:16:01 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4dc.png 714016 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/557418213 John Boynton (J.B.) Priestley, 13 September 1894 – 14 August 1984), was an English novelist, playwright, scriptwriter, social commentator and broadcaster.
 
His Yorkshire background is reflected in much of his fiction, notably in The Good Companions (1929), which first brought him to wide public notice. Many of his plays are structured around a time slip, and he went on to develop a new theory of time, with different dimensions that link past, present, and future.
 
In 1940, he broadcast a series of short propaganda radio shows that were credited with strengthening civilian morale during the battle of britian . His left-wing beliefs brought him into conflict with the government, and influenced the birth of the Welfare State. The programme was eventually cancelled by the BBC for being too critical of the Government.
He was a founding member of the campaign for nuclear disarmament in 1958. He is perhaps best known for his 1945 play An Inspector Calls.

The University of Bradford awarded Priestley the title of honorary doctor of letters in 1970, and he was awarded the freedom of the city of Bradford in 1973. His connections with the city were also marked by the naming of the J. B. Priestley Library at the University of Bradford, which he officially opened in 1975, and by the larger-than-life statue of him, commissioned by the Bradford City Council after his death, and which now stands in front of the National media museum.
]]> 2020-05-07 13:34:27 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/557418213 714016 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/557424427 2020-05-07 13:36:17 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/557424427 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566843734 John Boynton Priestley was born on September the 13th 1894.
He died on August the 14th 1984.
He grew up in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of a school master.
His mother died when he was very young  and he was brought up by his step mother. After leaving Belle Vue School when he was 16 he worked in a wool office.  
He enjoyed writing, he wanted to be a writer and a playwright and a novelist ever since a young age. 
He spent his hard working money on books and he used his spare time exploring styles of writing.
Because of his love for writing the University of Bradford has a Library in memory of J.B. Priestley.
His first piece of writing was an article titled 'Secrets of a Rag' which appeared in the London Opinion on December the 14th 1912. 
 ]]> 2020-05-12 08:11:59 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566843734 Priestley Education and Career 7056129 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566845789 J.B Priestley was an educated child who didn't go to university right after high school because he decided that he wanted to work as a junior clerk (with the stated purpose of gaining life experience).
Priestley was going to pursue his dream job of becoming a writer . 
Perhaps his experience as a lowly office worker helped him gain some understanding of the problems faced  by the millions underpaid, ordinary working people of the Edwardian times.


]]> 2020-05-12 08:12:58 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566845789 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566884507 At the start of the 20th century, wages remained the same while prices increased, which led to more working for the working class. The business owners wanted more from their workers in order to make more profit which meant putting even more pressure on the workers. Trade unions had been growing since the 1800's but the workers felt that they weren’t solving the problems as fast as they should be doing. This led to some of the working class take strike action, against the advice of their union leaders.
The working class had no rights. These are some of things which happened: 
- Children at 5 years started working by making cotton.
- Children worked 12-16 hours each day.
- The worker did not stop for meals.
- Women were told to work when pregnant. 
- Worker suffered form digestive problems, lung pains, side pains and pain in hands and feet.
  ]]> 2020-05-12 08:29:39 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566884507 By 1945 the Second World War was over and England had gained victory, the Labour Party had been elected in the general election and in 1945 there was a formation called the United Nations. There were 26 nations at war with the Axis and there were allies with each other. After the war people struggled in all ways such as deaths of loved ones and them having to rations on small amounts of foods, but they were also happy and relived to know they were free and not at war anymore. https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566890565 2020-05-12 08:32:12 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566890565 J.B Priestley's use of stagecraft contribute to the overall dramatic effect of "An Inspector Calls". Throughout the play the audience are paying attention due to the high and low points of tension and drama between the characters. This is shown by the lighting, sounds and costumes, that are all put to the effectiveness of this play. 717717 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566907114 2020-05-12 08:39:17 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566907114 7056129 https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566907513 2020-05-12 08:39:28 UTC https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/566907513 W'omens Rights. https://padlet.com/naomifranchetto/xvrq1owo2gbim2m6/wish/567311185 Life for women in the early 1900's was very different to how it is today. Things started to change slowly starting in December 1918  when women over the age of 30 were allowed to vote in a general election for the first time ever. And then, finally, in 1928 equality was given to women and all citizens over the age of 21 could vote.  
There was a common view that women should not work and they should stay at home and look after the children and the house and that politics and important matters should be decided by the men.
In 1919 women were allowed to sit on a jury in court and in the same year women were then allowed to train as a lawyer or accountant due to The Sexual Discrimination Removal Act 1919.
Women were seen as high risk in business and weren't allowed to have a bank account in their own name until 1975 !!
Until 1982 they could still be refused service in a pub if they were drinking alone and using their own money.
Women's Rights have improved a lot in just over 100 years...thank goodness. 



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