Women

• What is the context of women in 1912 society?

  • disenfranchised (no vote)
  • inferior to their husbands & fathers in the patriarchal (male dominated) society
  • In 1867 the London's Society for Women's Suffrage was created to campaign for women's rights
  • During the 1910's, the women's suffrage movement had gained momentum & had begun to bring attention to the movement - women however were still inferior
• How do the rights of women in 1912 society link to the play?

  • Sheila is presented as disenfranchised at the beginning of the play - her infantile language & short dialogue representing how women were oppressed & silenced politically & socially in 1912
  • Also, Eva's animalistic treatment can't be disregarded just as being down to classism - her status as a lower class woman made her more susceptible to this abuse
• What is the context of women in 1945 society?

  • Women's contribution to the war effort, sustaining the home front, was a pivotal turning point for women - they were now seen as valuable & important members of society: before their importance was overlooked
  • Arguably, without the Women's suffrage moment, their rights would have not become permanent
  • Before WW2, changes were still made e.g. in 1928 when all women gained equal voting rights to men
  • Women had gained more rights but not equal. Inequality still plagued society.
• How do the rights of women in 1945 society link to the play?

  • The change in 1912 of women being more outspoken in their need for rights may be used by Priestley within the character of Sheila
  • Her uncensored & developed voice may emulate the politics of women at the time
  • Women were not entirely equal in society; however, a shift was seen in society post WW2 with people treating each other with more humanity & compassion following the devastating loss of life