Exploitation

• What is the definition of exploitation?

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

  It often involves taking advantage of weakness or trust.
• Who is exploited in the play discussed in the study material?

  Eva Smith is exploited by individuals and the system of Capitalism as a whole.
• What themes are linked to exploitation in the play?

  Exploitation links to the themes of social class, Capitalism vs. Socialism, and gender.
• Why is Eva Smith considered vulnerable?

  She is vulnerable because she is a working-class woman.
• What does Priestley suggest about the Capitalist economy's treatment of working-class women?

  He suggests that employers prey on the vulnerability of working-class women to make huge profits.
• How does Priestley view the function of the British economy in the twentieth century?

  He suggests it relied on the exploitation of those at the bottom of the hierarchy.
• How do the upper classes exploit their positions in society according to Priestley?

  The Birlings take advantage of their trusted positions in the community to get their own way and escape punishment.

  
• What does Priestley argue about the dependency of the lower classes on the upper classes?

  He argues that the lower classes were dependent on the upper classes for everything.
• What forms of exploitation are depicted in the Birlings' treatment of 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 Priestley outline through Eva's story?

  He outlines the different forms of exploitation that support and benefit the upper classes of society.
• How does Mr Birling's business practices reflect Capitalism's exploitation of the working class?

  His practices prioritize profit over personal wellbeing and dehumanize workers.
• How does Mr Birling threaten his workers?

  He threatens them with unemployment if they don’t adhere to his strict ways.
• What is Mr Birling's business motto?

  His motto is to work “together” with Crofts Limited “for lower costs and higher prices.”
• How does Mr Birling view his workers?

  He views them as a simple “cost” and wants to lower that cost.
• What does the phrase “several hundred young women” imply about Mr Birling's perception of his workers?

  It illustrates the women’s loss of individual identity, as they are viewed as a collective.
• How does Priestley suggest companies treat unemployed people?

  He suggests companies consistently hire new staff while firing old staff to keep costs low.
• What does the Inspector say about the relationship between extreme poverty and Capitalist companies?

  He explains that extreme poverty and despair are beneficial for Capitalist companies.
• What does the phrase “every city and big town in this country” suggest about poverty?

  It expresses how universal the problem of poverty is, evoking the idea that it is an epidemic.
• How does Priestley depict the relationship between the comfort of the upper classes and the suffering of the lower classes?

  He demonstrates that the comfort and luxury of one person’s life is directly dependent on the distress and hardship of others.

  
• What does Priestley accuse factories and warehouses of perpetuating?

  He accuses them of perpetuating the cycle of poverty to ensure they always have a cheap workforce available.
• How do Gerald and Eric represent societal norms regarding exploitation?

  They represent the ways in which exploitation and mistreatment of women are normalized and encouraged in society.
• How does Gerald exploit Eva Smith?

  He uses her vulnerability and fear to get her to go to bed with him.
• What is the morality of Gerald's actions towards Eva?

  His morality is questionable as he makes her his mistress and abandons her when he sees fit.
• How does Gerald's perception of Eva reflect his exploitation of her?

  He bases her worth purely on her attractiveness, indicating his sexual attraction was a factor in his decision to befriend her.
• What does Gerald imply when he tells Eva she should let him take her out of her situation?

  He implies that if she rejects him, she will be in trouble again, forcing her to be reliant on him.

  
• How does Priestley illustrate the dependency in Gerald and Eva's relationship?

  He conveys that Eva felt she owed Gerald for rescuing her, implying he controlled her.
• What does the term “Fairy Prince” imply about Gerald's view of his role in Eva's life?

  It suggests he enjoyed the sense of power that came from being her savior, allowing him to exploit her vulnerability.
• How does Eric's relationship with Eva differ from Gerald's?

  Eric's relationship appears one-sided, as he admits he used her to satisfy his own sexual desires.
• How does Eric objectify Eva in his description of her?


  He describes her as “pretty and a good sport,” which objectifies her and implies she is something to be conquered.
• What does the Inspector say about Eric's treatment of Eva?

  He states that Eric “just used her for the end of a stupid drunken evening, as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person.”
• How does Priestley depict the consequences of Eric's exploitation of Eva?

  He shows that the exploitation of working-class women caused long-lasting trauma and damage for them.
• What does Priestley imply about the treatment of working-class women by the upper classes?

  He implies that they are treated inhumanely and barbarically, similar to animals.
• How does Priestley illustrate the power imbalance in the relationships between upper and lower classes?

  He shows that the lower classes are fully committed to the upper classes’ desires, while the upper classes can break ties without consequences.

  
• What does Priestley suggest about the nature of relationships between the classes in the play?

  He suggests that relationships are often exploitative, with the upper classes benefiting at the expense of the lower classes.

  
• How does the play reflect the societal norms of the time regarding gender and class?

  The play reflects a culture where exploitation and mistreatment of women are normalized and encouraged by societal structures.

  
• What is the significance of the title "An Inspector Calls" in relation to the themes of exploitation?

  The title signifies the moral scrutiny of the characters' actions and the societal implications of their exploitation of others.

  
• How does Priestley use the character of the Inspector to convey his message about exploitation?

  The Inspector serves as a moral voice, highlighting the consequences of exploitation and urging accountability among the characters.

  
• What does Priestley suggest about the potential for change in society regarding exploitation?

  He suggests that change is possible if society acknowledges and addresses the exploitation of the vulnerable.