(Theme) Class tension

Question 1

Mr and Mrs Birling

Answer 1

J.B. Priestley makes the audience aware that Mrs Birling is actually socially superior (higher in rank) to Mr Birling, because her family had a higher social status before she married him.
But he is in control of her and his family because he is male in a patriarchal (male ruled) society.

Question 2

Gerald and Sheila

Answer 2

Gerald would also be Sheila’s social superior (higher in rank) when they got married because of his gender and wealth.
But his mother (Lady Croft) disapproves of Sheila because she is a lower class than Gerald – Lord and Lady Croft refuse to accept the dinner invitation to celebrate the engagement.
The Birlings are happy for Sheila to make this match to someone of a higher social class.

Question 3

Eva Smith

Answer 3

All of the characters feel justified (like they have good reason) in their mistreatment of Eva Smith because she was from the lower classes.