exploitation

• What is exploitation?

  Unfair treatment for personal benefit
• How does exploitation often occur?

  By taking advantage of weakness or trust
• What themes are linked to exploitation in the play?

  Social class, Capitalism vs. Socialism, gender
• Why is Eva Smith considered vulnerable?

  She is a working class woman
• How do employers exploit working class women according to Priestley?

  By preying on their vulnerability for profit
• What does Priestley suggest about the British economy's reliance on exploitation?

  It relies on exploiting those at the bottom
• How do the Birlings exploit Eva Smith?

  Through various forms of mistreatment
• What forms of exploitation do the Birlings use against Eva?

  • Mr Birling: cheap labour
  • Sheila: status to get her fired
  • Gerald and Eric: sexual exploitation
  • Mrs Birling: influence to deny her case
• What does Mr Birling's business practices symbolize?

  Capitalism's exploitation of the working class
• How does Mr Birling view his workers?

  As costs rather than individuals
• What is Mr Birling's business motto?

  “Lower costs and higher prices”
• How does Mr Birling threaten his workers?

  With unemployment if they don't comply
• What does the phrase “keep changing” imply about Mr Birling's workers?

  They lack individual identity and stability
• How does Priestley portray the treatment of working class women?

  As targeted for lower wages by companies
• What does the Inspector say about poverty and capitalism?

  Poverty benefits capitalist companies
• How does the Inspector describe the existence of young girls in poverty?

  As essential for finding cheap labour
• What does Priestley suggest about the relationship between wealth and poverty?

  Wealth depends on the hardship of others
• How does Gerald exploit Eva Smith?

  By using her vulnerability for his gain
• What does Gerald's relationship with Eva reveal?

  Imbalance of power and dependency
• How does Eric describe his feelings towards Eva?

  He liked her but wasn't in love
• What does Eric's behavior towards Eva indicate?

  He objectifies her for his desires
• How does the Inspector summarize Eric's exploitation of Eva?

  He used her as if she were an animal
• What does Priestley imply about class relationships?

  Upper classes exploit lower classes without consequence
• What does the treatment of Eva Smith symbolize?

  Dehumanization of the working class
• What are the consequences of exploitation for working class women in the play?

  • Long-lasting trauma
  • Damage to self-worth
  • Dependency on upper classes
  • Lack of support from society