Gender Inequality

• "I'd hate you to know all about port – like one of these purple-faced old men" - Sheila despises men who are like Mr Birling but she can't express that directly as that would be blasphemous because of her status as a woman and Mr Birling's daughter. 'Port' represents one of the many luxuries the bourgeoisie can afford while 'old' represents the ancient nature of the bourgeoisie that needs to change.
• "When you're married you'll realize that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You'll have to get used to that, just as I did"

  .Mrs Birling here is defending the patriarchal system as she has been a victim of misogyny for so long that it has become a part of her life.

  .Highlights that women had no say/choice in their partner's lives or even their lives even if it affected them

  .Shows one negative effect of capitalism as men were more interested in business than forming meaningful relationships with their families
• Priestley may be showing Sheila as being infantilised and overall immature to highlight her transformation throughout as she not only gains her independence from a gender point of view but also, from a younger point of view. She chooses to follow socialism as Priestley with her new-found freedom which suggests that socialism is the future.
• "she was pretty", "very pretty", "lively, good-looking girl" - all referring to Eva Smith

  The repeated references to her good appearance highlight the power of the male gaze which is a sexualised way of looking at women that empowers men and objectifies women. The woman is a mechanism to serve the man's ego, libido and needs. Therefore, the woman is seen as subordinate. Characters such as Gerald and Eric are most guilty of this behaviour as they both use Eva Smith for their pleasure often using their status/power to take advantage of her.