Theme - Class

• Class


  • The play explores class divisions
  • The Birlings represent the privileged upper middle class
  • Eva (and, to an extent, Edna) represent the exploited working class
  • Characters like Mr and Mrs Birling looks down on those with lower status than them
  • The Inspector challenges this social divide
• Class quotes

  • "girls of that class"
  • Mrs Birling
  • "as if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!"
  • Mrs Birling
  • "the wretched girl"
  • Mr Birling