An Inspector Calls Key Theme: Gender (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: James Alsop
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Gender mind map
The theme of gender in each act of An Inspector Calls:
Act | Quote | Summary |
|---|---|---|
1 | “... men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business” – Mrs Birling | Mrs Birling tells Sheila that men do more important work than women, and this reinforces the status quo |
1 | “she’d had a lot to say — far too much — so she had to go” | Mr Birling believes that his class places him above the law — something that the Inspector disputes |
1 | “... young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things” – Gerald Croft | Gerald’s words here are hypocritical: he wishes to protect Sheila, but did not extend the same care to Eva |
2 | “a hysterical child” – Mrs Birling | Mrs Birling belittles Sheila for questioning her, using a gendered insult often used to silence women |
3 | “[Eric] used [Eva] as if she was an animal, a thing, not a person” – Inspector Goole | The Inspector describes the brutal reality of Eric’s treatment of Eva |
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:
Character | Impact |
|---|---|
Mr Birling, Gerald and Eric |
|
Mrs Birling and Sheila |
|
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?
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