Final answer:
J.B. Priestley's play 'An Inspector Calls,' written at the close of WWII, is thematically connected to WWI and WWII through its exploration of social responsibility, moral complacency, and societal attitudes that contributed to the occurrence of the global conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The play 'An Inspector Calls' by J.B. Priestley relates thematically to World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) in several ways. Priestley wrote the play in 1945, shortly after the end of WWII, using the story to reflect on the societal attitudes and ethical issues that he believed contributed to the conflicts. Through its examination of the moral responsibility of the individuals in the Birling family, the play criticizes the complacency and social ignorance that allowed the tragedies of both World Wars to occur.
The character of Inspector Goole represents the voice of social conscience and prompts the characters—and through them, the audience—to reflect on their own responsibility towards others. This reflects the social commentary Priestley wished to convey that the negligence and lack of accountability in society can lead to catastrophic events, a connection to the wars' outcomes and the 'Stab in the Back' myth widely believed in Germany post-WWI.
Moreover, the play can also be seen as a reflection on the social conditions and political tensions preceding WWII. The issues of class, social responsibility, and the consequences of industrial capitalism highlighted in the play mirror the societal conditions that led to WWII. Priestly thus invites audiences to analyze the war's deeper social implications and their personal ethical stance, posing profound questions on humanity that were ignited by the wars' devastations.