Theme - Exploitation

• What is exploitation defined as in the study material?

  Exploitation is when someone treats something in an unfair and underhand way to benefit from it.
• What does exploitation often involve?


  It often involves taking advantage of weakness or trust.
• How does the theme of exploitation manifest in the play?

  • Eva Smith is exploited by individuals and the system of Capitalism.
  • Links to themes of social class, Capitalism vs. Socialism, and gender.
• Why is Eva Smith considered vulnerable?

  She is a working class woman with no power and faces discrimination.
• How does Priestley portray the exploitation of working class women?

  He presents how employers prey on their vulnerability to make huge profits.
• What does Priestley imply about the British economy in the twentieth century?

  It relied on the exploitation of those at the bottom of the hierarchy.
• How do the Birlings exploit their positions in society?

  They take advantage of their trusted positions to get their own way and escape punishment.
• What is the relationship between the upper and lower classes in the play?

  The lower classes are dependent on the upper classes for everything.
• What forms of exploitation do the Birlings use against Eva Smith?

  • Mr Birling exploited her for cheap labour.
  • Sheila exploited her status to get Eva fired.
  • Gerald and Eric exploited her for sex.
  • Mrs Birling exploited her influence to deny Eva's case.
• What does Mr Birling's business practices symbolize?

  They symbolize Capitalism's exploitation of the working class.
• How does Mr Birling prioritize profit over personal wellbeing?

  He details how profit is prioritized over the wellbeing of his workers.
• How does Mr Birling threaten his workers?

  He threatens them with unemployment if they don’t adhere to his strict ways.