This GCSE English Literature quiz will test you on the context in JB Priestley's play An Inspector Calls.
The context of a text means the environment in which it was written. In a way, context is similar to setting, but applies to the real, rather than fictional, world. Context includes political events, both contemporary to the author and those of the recent past, social issues, geographical location and can even include the author’s personal beliefs.
How to write about context
Understanding the context of a fictional work is important because of the effects which this has on the meaning of text. The relationship is not straightforward, however.
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History is in itself complicated and does not affect the text directly, working instead through the mind and prejudices of the author.
When writing about context, pay the closest attention to the text itself. What does it say about history, about politics, or about social issues? This is what is important. Finding out about context for yourself will help you better understand the text, or the points which the text makes. It’s important to remember that even the most political of texts are not actually manifestos and have more to tell us about the world and about ourselves.
Remember, too, to distinguish between the setting of the text and its context. Texts are very frequently set in eras and geographical locations which differ from their own context. Thinking about the relationship between setting and context will help you to understand the text more deeply.
Research the context of J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls, and remember what you have learned in lessons, and try these questions to see how much you know.
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1.
|
An Inspector Calls was first performed... |
|
[ ] |
during the Great War (WWI) |
[ ] |
before the First World War |
[ ] |
before the Second World War |
[ ] |
after the Second World War |
|
|
2.
|
J. B. Priestley was a supporter of which political philosophy? |
|
[ ] |
Conservatism |
[ ] |
Socialism |
[ ] |
Fascism |
[ ] |
J. B. Priestley was apolitical |
|
|
3.
|
Which of the following statements is true? |
|
[ ] |
Class was not an important concern during the time the play is set |
[ ] |
People were focussed on rebuilding Britain after WWII and had no time to be concerned with social change |
[ ] |
Class distinctions were reinforced by the end of the Second World War |
[ ] |
The rigid class distinctions of the play's setting were being strongly challenged during and immediately following WWII |
|
|
4.
|
With regard to women, what was one of the biggest changes between the time the play is set and the time it was first performed? |
|
[ ] |
Women began to be able to hold jobs. They had never worked before the Second World War |
[ ] |
Women gained the right to vote |
[ ] |
Women began to be able to run businesses of their own. They had never been able to own businesses before the Second World War |
[ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
5.
|
How does war affect our understanding of the play? |
|
[ ] |
The characters of the play are unaware of impending war, while the audience is conscious of having recently survived war |
[ ] |
The audience is unaware of impending war, while the characters are conscious of having recently survived war |
[ ] |
The characters are aware that war is coming. This awareness affects their behaviour, encouraging them to think about responsibility |
[ ] |
None of the characters in the play are aware of impending war, meaning that war has no effect on our understanding of the play |
|
|
6.
|
Mr Birling describes the Titanic as "unsinkable". This is an example of... |
|
[ ] |
surrealism |
[ ] |
metaphor |
[ ] |
dramatic irony |
[ ] |
poor research |
|
|
7.
|
What is the context for Mr Birling's complaint about "cranks" who write about community and collectivity? |
|
[ ] |
The rise of socialism |
[ ] |
The Russian Revolutions |
[ ] |
Labour unrest and the rise of trade unions |
[ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
8.
|
Which of the characters would have most benefitted from a welfare state, if it had existed during the time the play was set? |
|
[ ] |
Mr Birling |
[ ] |
Gerald |
[ ] |
Sheila |
[ ] |
Eva Smith |
|
|
9.
|
How does class and gender affect Mrs Birling and Sheila? |
|
[ ] |
Because of their class and gender, they are guaranteed a comfortable, happy life |
[ ] |
Their best option as upper-class women is to marry well |
[ ] |
They have all the advantages of men of their class |
[ ] |
They are not affected by class and gender |
|
|
10.
|
What was the result of the first General Election following WWII? |
|
[ ] |
A Labour landslide |
[ ] |
A Conservative landslide |
[ ] |
A narrow Labour victory |
[ ] |
A narrow Conservative victory |
|
|
1.
|
An Inspector Calls was first performed... |
|
[ ] |
during the Great War (WWI) |
[ ] |
before the First World War |
[ ] |
before the Second World War |
[x] |
after the Second World War |
|
|
2.
|
J. B. Priestley was a supporter of which political philosophy? |
|
[ ] |
Conservatism |
[x] |
Socialism |
[ ] |
Fascism |
[ ] |
J. B. Priestley was apolitical |
|
|
3.
|
Which of the following statements is true? |
|
[ ] |
Class was not an important concern during the time the play is set |
[ ] |
People were focussed on rebuilding Britain after WWII and had no time to be concerned with social change |
[ ] |
Class distinctions were reinforced by the end of the Second World War |
[x] |
The rigid class distinctions of the play's setting were being strongly challenged during and immediately following WWII |
|
|
4.
|
With regard to women, what was one of the biggest changes between the time the play is set and the time it was first performed? |
|
[ ] |
Women began to be able to hold jobs. They had never worked before the Second World War |
[x] |
Women gained the right to vote |
[ ] |
Women began to be able to run businesses of their own. They had never been able to own businesses before the Second World War |
[ ] |
All of the above |
|
|
5.
|
How does war affect our understanding of the play? |
|
[x] |
The characters of the play are unaware of impending war, while the audience is conscious of having recently survived war |
[ ] |
The audience is unaware of impending war, while the characters are conscious of having recently survived war |
[ ] |
The characters are aware that war is coming. This awareness affects their behaviour, encouraging them to think about responsibility |
[ ] |
None of the characters in the play are aware of impending war, meaning that war has no effect on our understanding of the play |
|
|
6.
|
Mr Birling describes the Titanic as "unsinkable". This is an example of... |
|
[ ] |
surrealism |
[ ] |
metaphor |
[x] |
dramatic irony |
[ ] |
poor research |
|
|
7.
|
What is the context for Mr Birling's complaint about "cranks" who write about community and collectivity? |
|
[ ] |
The rise of socialism |
[ ] |
The Russian Revolutions |
[ ] |
Labour unrest and the rise of trade unions |
[x] |
All of the above |
|
|
8.
|
Which of the characters would have most benefitted from a welfare state, if it had existed during the time the play was set? |
|
[ ] |
Mr Birling |
[ ] |
Gerald |
[ ] |
Sheila |
[x] |
Eva Smith |
|
|
9.
|
How does class and gender affect Mrs Birling and Sheila? |
|
[ ] |
Because of their class and gender, they are guaranteed a comfortable, happy life |
[x] |
Their best option as upper-class women is to marry well |
[ ] |
They have all the advantages of men of their class |
[ ] |
They are not affected by class and gender |
|
|
10.
|
What was the result of the first General Election following WWII? |
|
[x] |
A Labour landslide |
[ ] |
A Conservative landslide |
[ ] |
A narrow Labour victory |
[ ] |
A narrow Conservative victory |
|
|