THREAD:: Some thoughts about AIC. Was the play written to change the audience’s mind or change how they think about society? No. Here’s why... /1

I often find the typical view of AIC is this: the play is an attack on capitalist views and is seeking to dismantle that ideology so that the audience recalibrate their views and emerge from the theatre as enthused and vigorous socialists. I think this is half right. /2

The play is clearly and emphatically a savage critique of capitalism and the greed represented by the Birlings. Obvs. But I don’t think the intention is to change the auidnce’s mind and the reason why is really key. /3

Well, let’s go back to the first British audience for the play (it was actually first performed in 1945 in Soviet Russia, telling!) — it was first performed in Britain in *1946* at the Old Vic. /4

As we know Attlee had very recently secured a massive landscape in the July 1945 Election. With a turnout of 72% this was a *big* moment in British politics. Attlee won 239 seats, almost 50% of vote. It was a resounding endorsement of Labour’s postwar socialist agenda. /5

Compare that to Blair’s 1997 victory that had a very similar turnout. We see this now as very much a giant and definite victory for Blair. But Attlee had a larger percentage of the vote and a larger swing than Blair — just to help to capture Attlee’s dominance. /6

So if we imagine the first British audiences for AIC, the people the Inspector looks out towards as he makes his final speech about being members of one body, they probably just voted for Attlee. They already agree with this. He’s not converting anyone. They’re converted. /7

So if the play is being performed to a crowd who already ideologically aligns to what the Inspector represents and it’s *not* an attempt to convert and morally realign the audience then what is it? /8

I’d argue the play functions like an advertisement. When you see an advert for a car no one is expecting you to buy it. That’s not the point. The point is to help to reassert the brand, to confirm you made the right call in buying it, that you were right to think it’s great /9

This is exactly what AIC is doing. It’s not seeking to convert but rather to reaffirm the political allegiances of the audience in 1946. It’s a dramatic advert for Attlee. ‘Well done everyone. You made the right choice. This is the best decision you ever made’ /10.

So was the play written to change the audience’s mind? No they probably already agreed with him. But it was designed to reaffirm their ideological disposition, to give them reason to *continue* thinking it. END