CLASS (theme)

Question 1

Who are the characters that relate to class & what class are they in?

Answer 1

• Working class: Eva, Edna
  .
• Middle class: Mr Birling , Sheila and Eric
  .
• Aristocratic / Upper class: Gerald & Mrs Birling

Question 2

Why does Edna (the maid) and Eva/Daisy have no lines?

Answer 2

• Both working class –> implies that working class have no voice/say
• Eva is an “everyman” and represents the collective of the working class (not 1 particular person)

The Inspector is also used as a voice for the working class - and almost speaks on/in their behalf/defence.

Question 3

• Mrs Birling in upper class above Mr Birling - which is shown throughout the play when she gently argues her own opinion back to him.
  –> “Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”
  .
• This class difference battles against the gender norms set - meaning Mrs B is still considered lower than Mr B in the family.

Answer 3

“Social superior” - stage directions (Act1)

Describing Mrs Birling compared to Mr Birling

Question 4

Gerald commenting on strikers at

Birling’s factory.

• Suggests upper class view of working classes as unable to control finances or act responsibly
  .
  .
• “if i know them” Implies Gerald believes he understands the situation
  .
• The word “all” shows upper class view of working classes as a collective mass below them

Answer 4

“They’d all be broke, if I know them.” -Gerald (Act 1)

Question 5

• upper classes believe working class’s demands are unreasonable or unrealistic, (asking for far too much.)

Answer 5

“They’d soon be asking for the earth” -Mr Birling (Act 1)

Question 6

• Inspector critisises the selfish Capitalist / upper class approach of taking whatever they want at the expense of others
  .
• It is a call for the privileged to recognize their moral obligation to act responsibly.
  –> and learn to share/ask rather than take.

Answer 6

“It’s better to ask for the earth than to take it” -Inspector (Act 1)

In response to (“they’d soon be asking for the earth” -MrB)

Question 7

• Can’t fathom the idea that a lower class girl could have morals
  –> Reflects upper class’s view of the working
  classes as unresponsible and desperate for money.)

.

• “Girl of that sort” shows Mrs B’s inability to see past her prejudice against the lower classes

Answer 7

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money” -Mrs Birling (Act 2)

Question 8

• Priestley’s view that all
  classes are the same.
  .
• ‘Body’ could be used as a metaphor for society as a human body - which needs every part to be equal to survive.

Answer 8

“We are members of one body” - Inspector (Act 3)

Question 9

• An example of the upper class behaving badly

.

• Shocked Mr & Mrs Birling, who didn’t expect their upper-class friend to be a alcaholic womaniser and behave so unrespectibly

Answer 9

“He’s a notorious womaniser” - Sheila (Act2)

Talking about Joe Meggarty - The man that was harrassing Eva/Daisy when

(He is a council member)

Question 10

• Tries to threaten/intimidate the Inspector with his connections and higher position.

Answer 10

“Perhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine” - Mr Birling (Act 1)

Talking about the Chief of Police (The Inspectors superior)

Question 11

• Mrs Birling felt that Eva Smith was not worthy of help.
  –> despite being in the worst situation a woman could be at that time
  .

In the Edwardian Period, there were 2 kinds of poor:
1. The undeserving poor: people who caused their suffering
2.The deserving poor: *people who aren’t to blame for their suffering. *
.

• Mrs Birling saw Eva Smith as being someone from the undeserving poor

Answer 11

“deserving cases” -Mrs Birling (Act 2)

Explaining what her charity helps with