Gender

• Gender in 1 act quote and summary:

  “... men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business” – Mrs Birling, Mrs Birling tells Sheila that men do more important work than women, and this reinforces the status quo.
• Gender in 1 act quote and summary:

  “she’d had a lot to say — far too much — so she had to go”, Mr Birling believes that his class places him above the law — something that the Inspector disputes.
• Gender in 1 act quote and summary: “... young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things” – Gerald Croft, Gerald’s words here are hypocritical: he wishes to protect Sheila, but did not extend the same care to Eva.
• Gender in 2 act quote and summary: “a hysterical child” – Mrs Birling, Mrs Birling belittles Sheila for questioning her, using a gendered insult often used to silence women.
• Gender in 3 act quote and summary:

  “[Eric] used [Eva] as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person” – Inspector Goole, The Inspector describes the brutal reality of Eric’s treatment of Eva.
• What are the elements of gender in An Inspector Calls?

  • Relationships: The relationship between Sheila and Gerald highlights the expectations of women in 1912 and their subservience to men.
• What are the elements of gender in An Inspector Calls?

  • Exploitation: Gender is linked closely to class in An Inspector Calls: 
  • The Birlings’ mistreatment of Eva is due both to her gender and her low social status
  • Eric and Gerald use their gender and status to exploit Eva Smith, sexually and romantically objectifying her 
• What are the elements of gender in An Inspector Calls?

  • Oppression: Sheila is repeatedly belittled and patronised — even by her own mother — in ways that reflect a wider silencing of women.
• The impact of gender on characters:

  Priestley explores the inequality between male and female characters in An Inspector Calls to criticise the mistreatment of women in society. Sexual discrimination is presented as a dark undercurrent throughout the play that informs the interactions between men and women, and between women of different classes.
• The impact of gender on characters:

  Mr Birling, Gerald and Eric:

  • Male characters are presented as exploiting female characters: 
  • Arthur Birling exploits working-class women, like Eva Smith, as one of the cheapest forms of labour 
  • Both Gerald and Eric also take advantage of the imbalance of power relating to her social position and lack of influence
  • Gerald emphasises his chivalry in rescuing her, despite his manipulation and abuse of her
  • Mr Birling even bargains with Sheila: a marriage to Gerald presents a business opportunity 
• The impact of gender on characters:

  Mrs Birling and Sheila:

  • Sybil Birling and Sheila use their power to suppress Eva Smith: 
  • Mrs Birling denies Eva charity on her prejudiced belief that “girls of that class” would refuse to accept stolen money
  • Sheila is jealous of Eva’s looks and has her fired
  • Sheila’s attitude towards women’s rights and gender roles changes as the play progresses: 
  • She challenges her father and refuses to take back Gerald’s engagement ring
• Why does Priestley use the theme of gender in his play?

  1.  Setting and period

  • Priestley uses male and female characters in the play to comment upon traditional gender roles and emphasise how society has evolved since 1912
  • Highlights the suppression of women’s rights in 1912 and draws attention to the ways that men and women can abuse their power
• Why does Priestley use the theme of gender in his play?

  2. Political commentary 

  • Priestley’s depiction of pre-war values confronts his audience with the consequences of patriarchal traditions 
  • Eva Smith represents “millions and millions and millions” of women who are oppressed 
• Why does Priestley use the theme of gender in his play?

  3. Audience appeal 

  • Priestley’s 1945 audience would have recognised the influence of gender on restricting the rights of women like Eva 
  • Sheila plays the role of an audience surrogate in the play — her growing independence represents the audience’s values