gender inequality Flashcards
overview
The theme of gender inequality is really important in An Inspector Calls. Priestley shows how women were treated unfairly in 1912, especially working-class women like Eva Smith. The play highlights how men had more power and freedom, while women were expected to behave properly and rely on men for support. Characters like Mrs Birling and Sheila also show how women were judged differently depending on their class. Priestley uses the play to show that these sexist attitudes were wrong and needed to change, especially after the war when society was starting to shift.
“Clothes mean something quite different to a woman.”
One key moment in Act 1 that shows gender inequality is when Mr Birling says, “Clothes mean something quite different to a woman.” This quote reflects the sexist mindset of the time, where women were often judged based on their appearance rather than their intelligence or capability. The phrase “quite different” suggests a clear divide between how men and women are expected to behave. Mr Birling implies that women are obsessed with fashion and appearances, reinforcing the stereotype that they are shallow and materialistic. This is an example of stereotyping, a form of prejudice where people are judged by general assumptions rather than who they actually are. By saying this in such a matter-of-fact way, Priestley shows how casual and normalised this sexist thinking was in Edwardian society. The use of dismissive tone here also shows how little Mr Birling respects women’s opinions or roles beyond being decorative.
“I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her… I was sorry for her.”
Another example is when Gerald says about Eva Smith (Daisy Renton), “I didn’t install her there so that I could make love to her… I was sorry for her.” At first, this quote seems sympathetic, but it actually reveals deep gender inequality and power imbalance. The verb “install” makes it sound like he’s putting Eva into a position, almost like an object or a piece of furniture. This shows how men had control over women’s lives, especially working-class women like Eva, who had very few options. Gerald thinks he’s being kind, but the language he uses shows a patronising attitude, suggesting that he saw himself as a saviour rather than treating Eva as an equal. This links to the theme of patriarchy, where men held the power and made decisions for women, often under the excuse of “helping” them. Priestley uses Gerald’s actions to highlight how even the supposedly “nice” upper-class men still contributed to a sexist system.
, “She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.”
Another important quote is when Mrs Birling says, “She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.” This line reveals Mrs Birling’s sexist and classist attitudes. The use of the phrase “a girl in her position” shows how Mrs Birling doesn’t believe that a working-class woman like Eva has the right to feel emotions like shame or pride. The word “absurd” suggests that it’s ridiculous for Eva to try to act with dignity, just because of her gender and social class. This shows how upper-class women like Mrs Birling often upheld sexist views and helped to keep other women in lower positions. Priestley uses dramatic irony and characterisation to show the flaws in Mrs Birling’s thinking. The audience knows that Eva was trying to protect herself and her baby by not taking stolen money, which actually shows she had strong morals. But Mrs Birling dismisses this because she doesn’t see poor women as capable of decency. This reflects the wider gender inequality of the time, where women’s voices were often ignored unless they were wealthy or married to powerful men.
“I suppose it was inevitable. She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.”
In Act 2 of An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses gender inequality to expose how women were treated unfairly in Edwardian society, especially by upper-class men. One key quote is when Gerald says, “I suppose it was inevitable. She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful.” This quote shows the way men saw women as objects rather than equals. The use of the adjective “inevitable” suggests that Gerald believes it was bound to happen, as if he had no control over taking advantage of Eva. This exposes his sense of entitlement as a wealthy man and reinforces the idea that women were often seen as vulnerable and disposable. The list of adjectives – “young,” “pretty,” and “warm-hearted” – highlights the physical and emotional traits that made Eva appealing to Gerald, showing how he only values her for her appearance and attitude. The fact that she was also “intensely grateful” implies that Gerald thinks her lower social status means she should be thankful for his attention. This shows how gender inequality and class prejudice were deeply connected, as women like Eva were powerless against the authority and privilege of men like Gerald. Priestley uses Gerald’s casual tone and justification to criticise how men used their social power over women, especially when it came to romantic or sexual relationships.
She had only herself to blame.”
In Act 3 of An Inspector Calls, Priestley continues to expose the deep-rooted gender inequality within Edwardian society. One powerful quote that shows this is when Mrs Birling says, “She had only herself to blame.” This quote refers to Eva Smith, a working-class woman who was pregnant and had no support. The dismissive tone in Mrs Birling’s words shows how women were judged more harshly than men, especially when they didn’t conform to society’s expectations. The personal pronoun “herself” highlights how blame is placed entirely on Eva, ignoring the responsibility of the man who got her pregnant. Priestley uses this to criticise how women, particularly poorer ones, were expected to behave perfectly or suffer the consequences, while men could act freely with little judgment. Mrs Birling’s cold and superior tone reflects her belief in traditional gender roles, showing how even women could reinforce sexism if they benefited from the system. Priestley uses her character to represent the older generation’s refusal to see women as equals.
“I wasn’t in love with her or anything—but I liked her—she was pretty and a good sport.”
Another important moment is when Eric says, “I wasn’t in love with her or anything—but I liked her—she was pretty and a good sport.” This quote reveals the casual and entitled attitude some men had towards women, especially those of a lower class. The phrase “a good sport” objectifies Eva, making her seem more like entertainment than a real person with feelings and dignity. Eric’s language is informal and dismissive, showing how easily he reduces her to looks and how much pleasure she gives him. Priestley uses this moment to show the double standards in gender expectations: Eric is allowed to have sexual freedom, while Eva is punished for it. The fact that he “wasn’t in love” yet still used her for his own needs highlights how men in power could exploit women without thinking about the consequences. Through Eric’s behaviour, Priestley exposes how society allowed men to be irresponsible, while women had to suffer in silence.
conclusion
In conclusion, An Inspector Calls shows how unfairly women were treated in society, especially working-class women like Eva. Priestley highlights how men had more power and freedom, while women were judged and blamed for things out of their control. Through the characters and their actions, he makes it clear that gender inequality was a serious problem, and he wanted audiences to realise it needed to change.
