An Inspector Calls - Theme of Gender

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  • Theme of Gender in an Inspector Calls
    • Context
      • Historicism,  can be applied when the theme of social relations is discussed in An Inspector Calls
      •  Set in 1912, the woman in the play were seen as possessions to their husband and did not work or have careers due to the patriarchal society.  
      • For working class women, a job was crucial. There was no social security at that time, so without a job they had no money. There were very few options open to women in that situation: many saw no alternative but to turn to prostitution.
      • Write after WW2. British men went o fight, their work had to be filled by women. Helped change existing perceptions. Men had to acknowledge the fact that women were just as capable as them. 
    • Women are portrayed as vulnerable
      • Women are protected
        • Particularly Sheila who the men protect from many things including that Eva Smith committed suicide.    
          • Women are portrayed as “delicate”Leads to conflict within the family    
        • Mrs Birling was also protected from outside affairs, such as the knowledge that many upper class men attended prostitute bars (the ‘stalls bar’) and that her son drank excessively.    
          • Vulnerability of women evokes sympathy, which supports Priestley’s belief in gender equality and community as “one body    
      • Womenare  shown to be passive and submissive
        • “Is it the one you wanted me to have?” Sheila ask Gerald    
          • Priestley wants us to change this attitude; relates to theme of social class “Sheila abiding to a social superior    
      • Victimisation of women
        • Mr Birling sees Eva as just one of “several hundred young women” who worked at his factory. This shows that in his view, all of his workers have no value. By saying “they keep changing” he shows the audience he did not even care if he dismissed Eva as she was just cheap labour to him.    
          • Victim is Eva is a working class female, Priestley highlights the vulnerability of women in those times, something that was socially acceptable.    
    • Women of all backgrounds
      • Includes a strong range of female characters    
    • Dominating male attitudes
      • Gerald describes Daisy Renton: “young, fresh and charming” someone he could amuse himself with. Gerald makes sexist and superficial comments about the women in the bar he visits. “I hate those hard-eyed dough-faced women.”    
        • Reinforces the power men held over women’s lives regardless of class. Gerald shows that he can be very superficial in his view of women. If they don’t meet his standard of how they 'should' look, he dislikes them.    
      • Eric took advantage of Daisy and admits that he forced her into having sex with him    
        • Shows the men to be callous in many respects and to be exploiting women    
      • When Mr Birling is telling Eric and Gerald about women's attitudes towards the clothes they wear “...not only something to make 'em look prettier - but - well, a sort of sign or token of their self-respect.”    
        • Mr Birling has a patronising view of women, suggesting that clothes are a sign of self-respect for them. He has a stereotypical view of women here and does not see them as individuals but suggests that all women think in the same way.    
    • Stereotypes
      • Frivolous, vain and proud women    
        • Sheila represents a female stereotype of 1912: she is, “Very pleased with life.” She is more concerned with the ring than the actual engagement: “I think it’s perfect. Now I really feel engaged.”    
          • Demonstrates her superficiality. Beginning of the play Sheila seen as oblivious, self-satisfied, unaware of her surroundings    
      • Class
        • When Mrs Birling suggests that Eva is incapable of having feelings. “She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.” “Girls of that class    
          • Shows that women like Mrs Birling can be just as cruel and old fashioned as the men are. Does not try to empathise with a member of her own gender. Highlights negative attitude towards the working class    

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