Edna Flashcards
Mr Birlings harsh treatment of Edna when inspector first arrives
‘Show him in here..
Give us some more light’ - Mr birling.
Shirt and monosyballic, suggests no attempt of politeness.
Clear imperatives ‘Show’ and ‘Give’ as if Birling expects his orders to be followed instantly,
Mrs Birlings harsh treatment of Edna in 3rd act.
‘Edna’ll go. I asked her to
‘Wait up’
The phrase wait up suggests she has been made to extent her typical working hours with no choice or extra money:
Adds to the dramatic force of Eva’s narrative, together showing the pressure for working class women so hesitantly obey their middle class employer even if working conditions are unfair:
Women’s wellbeing isn’t thought about.
What part of society does edna represent?
The mistreatment of the working class.
‘an inspectors..
called’
Ushers in someone who will challenge the beliefs.
She’s the one who changes the lighting to brighter and harder, where mr goole has an impact, showing the working class is the one who will deliver the truth to middle and upper classes. Or the women who brings in change to society (e.g suffragettes)
How did priestley’s inclusion of a maid serve as a reminder to the audience?
Maids was more common in 1912 edwardian times than in 1945, making it feel old fashioned.
Reminds the audience of the outdated practice of employing working class people to have long hours with little pay, which could’ve been done easily from the owners of the house., e.g pour port, answer the door, change the light.
How is that Edna isn’t included in the birlings successes e.g toasting for the engagement important?
priestley is condemning mistreatment of working class and for an audience in 1945, they would think this is out of date and overly formal, alienating the birlings as people who’s views or attitudes aren’t who you want to repeat.
How are Eva and Edna similar?
Both women of the working class.
Both looked down upon by society.
Both suffer in some way by the hands of the birlings.
No one speaks up for neither of them, like how no one spoke up for the mistreatment of women or the working class at the time before suffrage movement.
