The Crofts and Birlings are powerful families in the fictional city of Brumley. Their influence means that the rich can escape justice while the poor cannot.

In Edwardian times there was a great divide between the social classes and little opportunity to move between them. However, during both world wars women across the classes did traditional male jobs, since the men were in the armed forces. As a result, social mobility increased.

Priestley’s experience working in a factory gave him insight into the lives of the poor who could expect little help from society.

During the period when the play was set, labour was cheap and workers had few rights, so they were at the mercy of employers who treated them badly.

Written after two world wars and set before the First World War, Priestley knew how people like Mr Birling had failed to recognise that conflict could happen.