women

• Why is gender pivotal to understanding character interactions in the play?

  It influences how characters interact and view themselves
• What does Priestley suggest about 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
  • Suggests future societal progress regarding gender
• What is the role of the Inspector in the play?

  To break down gender stereotypes among characters
• How does the Inspector differ from Mr. Birling and Gerald?

  He is not a hypermasculine character
• What qualities does the Inspector possess that contrast with toxic masculinity?

  Impressive, intelligent, compassionate, and patient
• What does the Inspector's presence foreshadow in the play?

  Priestley’s hopes for a progressive future
• How did the World Wars influence women's roles in society?

  Women took on jobs previously held by men
• What societal change occurred when men returned from war?

  Women were reluctant to return to domestic roles
• What was the public sentiment towards the Women’s Suffrage movement?

  It caused hostility towards suffragettes
• How does Priestley illustrate the consequences of gender stereotyping?

  By showing conflict and suffering in society
• What do the female characters in the play represent?

  • Mrs Birling: Traditional subordinate female
  • Sheila: The 'New Woman' with strong opinions
  • Eva: A lower-class woman exploited by men
• How does Mrs Birling represent traditional values?

  She acts as a subordinate in men's presence
• What does Mrs Birling's judgmental nature symbolize?

  Desire to return to old societal norms
• How does Mrs Birling's class status affect her role?

  She is still subordinate due to her gender
• What does Mrs Birling's reference to her husband indicate?

  Women's status depended on their husbands
• How does Mrs Birling uphold patriarchal values?

  By suppressing other women and enforcing norms
• What does Mrs Birling teach Sheila about men?

  To be dependent and loyal to them
• How does Mrs Birling's view of men reflect societal beliefs?

  She implies only men's work is valuable
• What does Mrs Birling's attitude towards politics reveal?

  She believes women should avoid political discussions
• How does Mrs Birling's language towards Sheila reflect gender dynamics?

  It mirrors her husband's condescension
• How is Eva Smith characterized in contrast to Mrs Birling?

  She is assertive and outspoken
• What does Eva's assertiveness symbolize in the play?

  Subversion of traditional gender roles
• What does Eva's role in the factory strike indicate?

  She has a strong voice and leadership qualities
• How does Mr Birling's reaction to Eva's opinions reflect societal attitudes?

  He seeks to censor her rebelliousness
• What does Mrs Birling's refusal to help Eva reveal?

  She upholds societal expectations of women
• How does Eva's pregnancy outside of marriage challenge societal norms?

  It highlights stigmas against unmarried women
• What does Eva's introduction as "Mrs Birling" signify?

  Her dependence on family for security
• How does Priestley portray the consequences of class differences in relationships?

  Upper-class men face no consequences for actions
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  She becomes assertive and independent
• What role does the Inspector play in Sheila's transformation?

  He helps her voice her own opinions
• What does Priestley suggest about women's portrayal in society?

  It makes them appear weak and two-dimensional
• How does Sheila's character reflect the Women's Suffrage movement?

  Her arc mirrors women's progress from 1912 to 1945
• How is Sheila initially presented in the play?

  As naive, materialistic, and spiteful
• What does Sheila's fascination with clothes and jewellery signify?

  Her initial adherence to stereotypical femininity
• How does Sheila transform throughout the play?

  From a stereotypical girl to an assertive woman
• What role does the Inspector play in Sheila's development?

  He helps her voice her opinions and become self-aware
• What does Priestley suggest about society's treatment of women?

  It makes them appear weak and two-dimensional
• How does Sheila's character arc relate to Women's Suffrage?

  It imitates the progression from 1912 to 1945
• What does Sheila's excitement about her engagement ring reveal?

  Her materialistic and shallow nature