Do the themes presented in the play have any relevance today, nearly 100 years on?

To varying degrees they do. Consider some of the themes listed in the GradeSaver site,

Social class

Taking the play from a socialist perspective inevitably focuses on issues of social class. Social class is a reality in North America in the form of socio-economic class. Unlike places in Europe, education and money seem to dictate our class system. In the play, for example, Mrs. Birling, Priestley notes, is her husband’s social superior, just as Gerald will be Sheila’s social superior if they do get married.

Responsibility and Avoiding It

Though responsibility itself is a central theme of the play, the last act of the play provides a fascinating portrait of the way that people can let themselves off the hook. If one message of the play is that we must all care more thoroughly about the general welfare, it is clear that the message is not shared by all. There never seems to be a lack of people avoiding or shifting responsibility today. Just think back to last week and you are bound to find people unwilling to take the responsibility for something that they did wrong.

Check out the GradeSaver site for even more themes that link up with today.