Gender Flashcards
Overview
In An Inspector Calls, gender roles are critiqued through the contrasting attitudes of male and female characters. The men, like Mr. Birling and Gerald, maintain power and dominance, while women, like Sheila, challenge traditional roles by accepting responsibility. Priestley highlights gender inequality and advocates for more social equality and responsibility.
Quotes
‘Hard-headed, practical man of business’ - Pg 3
‘You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?’ - Pg 27
‘She looked young and fresh and charming’ - Pg 35
‘Yes, I insisted’ - Pg 53
‘Hard-headed, practical man of business’
Point - Mr. Birling’s self-description links power and success with masculinity, reinforcing patriarchal values that limit women’s roles and opportunities.
Choice - Mr. Birling’s description of himself as a “hard-headed practical man of business” associates leadership, power, and success with masculinity, reinforcing patriarchal attitudes. His self-perception highlights societal norms that confined women to domestic roles while men dominated business and decision-making.
Effect - By contrasting Birling’s outdated views with Sheila’s growing confidence and moral maturity, Priestley critiques traditional gender roles and suggests that progress depends on challenging these stereotypes. This encourages the audience to reconsider rigid power structures and embrace a more equal and responsible society.
‘You think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?’
Point - The Inspector is presented as a voice of moral authority, exposing the hypocrisy of the upper class and challenging their double standards.
Choice - The phrase “You think women ought to be protected against unpleasant things?” directly references Gerald’s mistreatment of Eva. The Inspector highlights the hypocrisy of the upper classes—they seek to shield their own women while exploiting lower-class women for their own pleasure. Mr. Birling and Gerald attempt to protect Sheila from hearing “unpleasant things,” yet they show no concern for Eva’s suffering.
Effect - This contrast exposes the double standards of the upper class, reinforcing Priestley’s critique of a society that values appearances over genuine morality. The audience is encouraged to recognize the injustice in how the working class, particularly women, are treated as disposable while the wealthy maintain their privilege under the guise of propriety.
‘She looked young and fresh and charming’
Point - Gerald’s description of Eva emphasises her appearance, highlighting how women were valued for their beauty and youth rather than their character.
Choice - Gerald describes Eva as “young and fresh and charming”, using a list of adjectives that focus entirely on her appearance. The word “fresh” in particular implies innocence and purity, reinforcing how women were often valued for their youth and beauty rather than their character or agency.
Effect - This highlights the objectification of women and the power imbalance between genders. Gerald, as an upper-class man, views Eva in a way that reduces her to a commodity for male pleasure. Priestley critiques these patriarchal attitudes, showing how they lead to the exploitation and marginalization of working-class women. This reinforces the play’s message that society must change to treat women with equality and respect.
‘Yes, I insisted’
Point - Eric’s insistence reflects male entitlement, showcasing how men felt justified in pressuring women, highlighting gender power imbalances.
Choice - Priestley’s choice of the verb “insisted” conveys forcefulness and a lack of consideration for Eva’s autonomy. The word suggests Eric exerted pressure on Eva, reinforcing how men of his class felt entitled to control and exploit working-class women without facing consequences.
Effect - This highlights the normalisation of coercion, showing how women like Eva had little power to resist. The lack of remorse or justification in Eric’s admission further emphasises how such behaviour was accepted in a patriarchal system that excused men’s actions while disregarding women’s experiences.
