Final answer:
The relationship between the rich and the poor in 1912 Britain, as portrayed in "An Inspector Calls," was characterized by an unequal dynamic where the affluent had power over the working class, and societal attitudes toward the poor were polarized between individualistic and systemic interpretations of poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
In J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," set in 1912 Britain, the relationship between the rich and the poor is depicted as a complex dynamic of dependence and responsibility. The rich, represented by the Birling family, live in comfort and exercise significant control over the economic fates of the working class. They demonstrate limited understanding and compassion for the struggles of the poor. The social context of the time, as reflected in the play, suggests that the poor had few avenues for betterment, and their plight was often seen as a result of their own failings, as proposed by the likes of Samuel Smiles. Conversely, there were also voices like Reverend Osborne Jay, who believed that systemic issues and lack of opportunity kept the poor in their destitute state. The play itself is a critique of the rigid social hierarchy and the lack of social responsibility exhibited by the upper class towards the less fortunate.