Gender

• Why is gender pivotal to understanding character interactions in "An Inspector Calls"?

  It influences how characters interact and view themselves.
• What is Priestley’s main message regarding traditional gender stereotypes?

  They are damaging and hinder societal progress.
• How does Priestley develop the theme of gender in the play?

  • Different female characters represent various societal roles.
  • Interactions between genders comment on traditional roles.
  • The Inspector challenges gender stereotypes.
• How does the Inspector differ from Mr. Birling and Gerald in terms of masculinity?

  He is not hypermasculine and presents a powerful alternative.
• What qualities does the Inspector possess that contrast with typical masculinity?

  He is impressive, intelligent, compassionate, and patient.
• What societal changes influenced women's roles during the time Priestley was writing?

  • The two World Wars challenged conservative gender notions.
  • Women took on jobs traditionally held by men.
  • Post-war, women were reluctant to return to domestic roles.
• What was the societal view of women in 1945 compared to 1912?

  Society was more progressive in 1945 than in 1912.
• What movement caused hostility towards suffragettes during Priestley's time?

  The Women’s Suffrage movement.
• How does Priestley illustrate the consequences of gender stereotyping in the play?

  He highlights the conflict and suffering resulting from it.
• How do the female characters in the play represent different societal roles?

  • Mrs Birling symbolizes the traditional subordinate female.
  • Sheila evolves into the 'New Woman' with strong opinions.
  • Eva represents the lower-class woman exploited by men.
• What does Mrs Birling symbolize in the play?

  The traditional 1912 woman who acts as a subordinate.
• How does Mrs Birling's behavior reflect her views on gender roles?

  She acts as a subordinate and avoids involvement in men's business.
• What does Mrs Birling's reference to her husband indicate about women's status in society?

  It shows a woman's status is dependent on her husband's position.
• How does Mrs Birling uphold patriarchal values?

  She suppresses other women and teaches her daughter to be dependent on men.
• What does Mrs Birling imply by saying men have "important work" to do?

  She implies only men's work is valuable and should be prioritized.
• How does Mrs Birling's attitude towards other women reflect societal views?

  She uses mocking and reductive language to undermine them.
• What does Eva Smith represent in the play?

  She symbolizes working-class women as a whole.
• How does Eva's character differ from Mrs Birling's?

  Eva is assertive and outspoken, unlike Mrs Birling.
• What does Eva's strong voice in the factory strike signify?

  It shows her leadership and defiance against authority.
• How does Mrs Birling react to Eva's assertiveness?

  She refuses to help her due to perceived impertinence.
• What societal stigma does Eva face regarding pregnancy outside of marriage?

  Unmarried women were viewed as lustful and irresponsible.
• How does Eva's introduction as "Mrs Birling" reflect women's dependence on family?

  It shows her need for a respectable identity to receive aid.
• What does Priestley suggest about the consequences of class differences in relationships?

  Upper-class men can exploit working-class women without facing consequences.
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  • She transforms from a naive, materialistic girl.
  • Becomes assertive, self-assured, and independent.
  • Represents the progression of Women's Suffrage.
• What role does the Inspector play in Sheila's development?

  He enables her to voice her opinions and become self-aware.
• What does Priestley suggest about society's treatment of women through Sheila's character arc?

  It makes women appear weak and two-dimensional.
• How does Sheila's character represent the 'New Woman'?

  She embodies independence and strong opinions.
• What does the marriage between classes mean for women in the context of the play?

  Many women were trapped without help.
• How does Sheila's character serve as a bridge in the play?

  Sheila connects the conservative Mrs. Birling and the assertive Eva Smith.
• What transformation does Sheila undergo during the play?

  She transforms from a stereotypical upper-class girl into an assertive, self-assured, and independent woman.
• How does the Inspector influence Sheila's character development?

  The Inspector enables Sheila to construct and voice her own opinions, leading to her self-awareness.
• What does Priestley suggest about society's treatment of women?

  Society treats and portrays women in ways that make them appear weak and two-dimensional.
• What does Sheila's character arc represent in relation to Women's Suffrage?

  Her character arc imitates the progression of Women's Suffrage from 1912 to 1945.
• How is Sheila initially presented at the beginning of the play?

  Sheila is presented as naive, materialistic, and spiteful.
• What does Sheila's excitement over her engagement ring reveal about her character?

  It reveals her materialistic nature and her role as a stereotypical naive girl of the upper classes.
• How does Priestley use Sheila's materialistic behaviors in the play?

  Priestley uses them to show how women were conditioned to rely on clothes and jewelry for pleasure and self-expression.
• What societal expectation did women face in the early twentieth century regarding beauty?

  Women only had worth if they were deemed beautiful.
• How does Sheila's jealousy towards Eva reflect societal conditioning?

  Sheila's jealousy is a result of being taught that she needed to be the most beautiful in any room.
• How does Sheila express her anger towards Eva?

  Sheila expresses her anger by taking it out on Eva, describing herself as "in a furious temper" and "jealous."
• What does Sheila's admission about Eva imply about her view of beauty?

  Sheila implies she viewed Eva as a threat because of her beauty.