relevance in 1945 and today of An Inspector Calls?

Answer 1

Oooh I liked this play when I did it for my English coursework; I'm assuming that's what you're doing btw? Erm, basically, just that a little action or belief can lead to wider consequences; ie racism, which can be used in both 1945 and now (Hitler and his racist ideologies of blacks, Jews, gays, disabled people...) and the racism that's around today. Can also be linked with other similar factors. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The main theme of "An Inspector Calls" is responsibility. This is reflected in Priestley's characters Arthur Birling and Inspector Goole. The contrast here is that Mr Birling believes that everyone is responsible for themselves and nobody else, whereas Goole believes that people should look out for each other as things can happen like "a chain of events."

Arthur Birling quote: (At the beginning of the play) - "A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too, of course, when he has one - and so long as he does that he won't come to much harm. But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we are all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense."

Inspector Goole quote: (His departing speech) - "We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And i tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson then they will be taught it in fire, blood and anguish. Good night."

Here, Goole means by "Taught it in fire, blood and anguish" as he knows that in 1939, World War 2 will arise, after World War 1 in 1914. Men will be taught the most important lesson of responsibility for others through their dying comrades.

Answer 3

In 1945 it was His Majesty's Inspectors of schools, nowadays it's OFSTED - much more scary!