A Day in the Death of Joe Egg: historical context

Historical Context

Disability Awareness

“A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” was first staged in 1967, a time where there was significantly less awareness and acceptance of disabilities.
The play is set in the mid-20th century, a time when people with disabilities were often hidden away and not accepted as part of mainstream society.
The character of Joe, portrayed as a child with a severe disability, unearths the uncomfortable societal reactions and ignorance towards those unable to conform to ‘norms’.

National Health Service

The National Health Service (NHS), introduced in 1948, was yet new when the play is set, offering free healthcare to all citizens and taking on an ambitious mission to care for those in need.
The character of Bri, a schoolteacher, and his wife, Sheila, would have relied heavily on the NHS for Joe’s care and medical expenses.

British Suburban Life

The way of life depicted is typical of the British middle-class suburban life of the period.
The arrival of the characters of Freddie and Pam showcases the societal expectations, values, and prejudices of the British middle-class of the 1960s.

Post-War Attitudes

The play is set during the aftermath of WW2, where Britain was recovering and seeking to re-establish social norms.
This period saw radical changes in attitudes towards sex, class, religion, and disability, themes pertinent in “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg”.

Theatre of the time

“A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” marks the beginning of a shift from kitchen-sink realism to the usage of more Absurdist and Brechtian elements in British theatre.
The themes and theatrical techniques used in the play mirrored the changing society and theatre of the time.

Understanding the historical context of “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” can greatly enhance the understanding and analysis of the characters, their motivations, and the events of the plot.