An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Gender (AQA GCSE English Literature) : Revision Note

Gender timeline 

The theme of gender in each act of An Inspector Calls:

What are the elements of gender in An Inspector Calls?

 Gender is presented in An Inspector Calls in the following ways:

• Relationships: The relationship between Sheila and Gerald highlights the expectations of women in 1912 and their subservience to men

• Exploitation: Gender is linked closely to class in An Inspector Calls: 

  • The Birlings’ mistreatment of Eva is due both to her gender and her low social status

  • Eric and Gerald use their gender and status to exploit Eva Smith, sexually and romantically objectifying her 

• Oppression: Sheila is repeatedly belittled and patronised — even by her own mother — in ways that reflect a wider silencing of women

The impact of gender on characters

Priestley explores the inequality between male and female characters in An Inspector Calls to criticise the mistreatment of women in society. Sexual discrimination is presented as a dark undercurrent throughout the play that informs the interactions between men and women, and between women of different classes:

Why does Priestley use the theme of gender in his play?

1.  Setting and period

• Priestley uses male and female characters in the play to comment upon traditional gender roles and emphasise how society has evolved since 1912

• Highlights the suppression of women’s rights in 1912 and draws attention to the ways that men and women can abuse their power

2. Political commentary 

• Priestley’s depiction of pre-war values confronts his audience with the consequences of patriarchal traditions 

• Eva Smith represents “millions and millions and millions” of women who are oppressed 

3. Audience appeal 

• Priestley’s 1945 audience would have recognised the influence of gender on restricting the rights of women like Eva 

• Sheila plays the role of an audience surrogate in the play — her growing independence represents the audience’s values

Exam-style questions on the themes of gender

Try planning a response to the following essay questions as part of your revision of gender: 

• Explore how Priestley presents relationships between men and women in An Inspector Calls?

• How does Priestley use Sheila Birling to explore gender roles in An Inspector Calls?