To investigate the social and historical context of the play.

Hierarchy School Family Film Year 10 students, Prefects, Headteacher, Teacher, Year 7 students, Student Teacher Family Pet, Older sibling, Parents, Younger sibling Film Actors, Writer, Director, Studio, Extras, Lighting crew

Ideologies Socialism  a belief that the wealth should be shared equally by people, without being owned by the rich Social: society, interaction of people, community Capitalism  a belief that the rich should own the wealth, and choose how much to give and how much to keep Capital: worth, wealth, economic currency

Socialism vs Capitalism Sort the following statements under the correct heading: What do each of these things mean for individuals in society? Equal distribution of wealth Looking after one another Staggered tax brackets Everyone pays the same tax Individual profit Free education and health service ‘Laissez-faire’ attitude (let it be) Production for profit Social hierarchy and class system Diminished class system

Setting of the Play The play was written in 1946 but is set in 1912. It was written just after the Second World War and set just before the First World War. J.B. Priestley had lived through both wars, which had an impact on his political beliefs. The early 20th Century saw the beginning of a movement away from an elite few controlling everything (capitalism) towards a situation where society tried to be more equal (socialism). There were an increasing number of strikes during this period and in the time after the play is set. Women were also becoming more insistent in their demands for equality – the suffragette movement becomes particularly militant at this time in history.

Social Classes Lower Class in the 1910’s Middle Class in the 1910’s Upper Class in the 1910’s Wages & Strikes in the 1910’s J.B. Priestly Childhood Military career Broadcasting Playwright Political positions World War I Cause Famous battles Outcome Impact on England Socialism Origin Beliefs History in England Capitalism Origin Beliefs History in England World War II Cause Famous battles Outcome Impact on England Women’s Rights Women in 1910’s Suffragette Movement American Depression Cause Outcome Impact on England