Gender Inequality

Context for gender inequality:

1912- Suffragettes calling for votes for women PLAY SET HERE

1914-1918- In WW1 large numbers of women recruited into jobs previously for men. Women proved they are capable.

1918- Householding Women over 30 can vote

1928- Now women can vote from same age as men (21)

1939-1945- Womens Royal Navy Service, Womens Land Army, Special Operations Executive (where women worked as spies). Women proved have the same value as men.

PLAY PERFORMED HERE

"Just used for the end of a stupid drunken night as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person." Similie comparing to animal, odd because normally women seen as less than human. "a thing" is how women are seen. Odd the inspector says his behaviour is wrong as he is saying this treatment is wrong.

"We are all members of all body"- suggests equality, together we are one EQUAL thing, the same. "Members" is like members, active in community. All acive in community even women.

"and you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and distrubing things?" asked to Audience/Gerald at start of Act 2. If yes, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY and equality across the classes. If no , EQUAL RIGHTS TO WOMEN AND MEN.

"Look mummy- isn't it a beauty?" - Question. use of "mummy" seems immature and childlike. Acting like sterotypical superficial woman. Supported by Mr Birling asking "Are you listening?" and the stage direction "[Shiela is still admiring her ring]" . Like thoughtless child. Supports idea that women are stupid.

"Is it the one you wanted me to have?" - Ring is for  show - like marriage/relationship w/ Gerald.

[excited] - female stereotypical characteristics.

"sheila, take your mother along to the drawing room", she is dismissed by her father and obliges. Submissive.

"at least that's what you say" - Sheila to Gerald. Questioning her husband-to-be. Early feminist views. Isn't completely submissive female.

"don't intefere, please, father" - change from "daddy" to "father" . Maturing. Earlier submissed to his will, now she has a voice almost against him.

"but these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people" disagrees with others opinions, socialist views.

"You'll see " repition and "he's giving us rope- so that we'll hang ourselves"- sheila is perceptive, intelligent. More so than family.

[hands him ring] Sheila is taking more power into her life, controlling relationships. VERY unusual for women in that time.

Contrast between Sybil and Eva Smith:

Eva smith of lower class, where women have to work to live, looks less important. Is more responsible than Sybil. Didn't take money because it was stolen. "She wouldn't take anymore" wouldn't suggests subordinate behaviour- unsual for women. Eva described as "ring leader" in protests. Feminist. Responsible. More relatable, empathise with her, similar behaviours thoughts.

Sybil Birling, judegmental "As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!"Ironic, she has as she is working class. Sybil upper class and has married for money not love.  "I accept no blame at all", irresponsible. Gender differs between classes not just sex. Working class more mature. Sybil seems cruel, heartless and is hard to relate to. Lean away from her behaviours.

Metaphor for past and future? Future unhappy if we do not change actions?

Stage Directions:

In opening stage directions, Sheila is described as "a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited".  First thing addressed is how she looks, her character traits if she is kind or jealous is not addressed. Shows how society viewed women. "excited" adjective, seems childlike. Stereotypical female characteristic at the time.

"a rather cold woman" (about Sybil) if women not young, beautiful they are seen as cold. "rather too manly to be a dandy, but very much the well-bred man about town" - even men had gender expectations. Eric being well bred/groomed have him nearly labeled as "dandy".

Mr Birlings Speech:

Describes clothes as "Not only something to wear- and not only to make 'em look prettier-but- well, a sort of sign or token of their self-respect." "self-respect" to make themselves look prettier for men. Reinforces all Birlings opinons are misguided. Chauvenistic attitude deliberate, J.B Priestly wanted us to dislike him early on. Birling has an account at Milwards so the women in his family can bolster their "self-respect" the only way they know how- with pretty dresses.

Physical + Cultural Distance between genders. Physically as during this speech they are in a different room + culturally as women are solely aesthetic beings.