Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Mr. Birling suggest about women's clothing?
What does Mr. Birling suggest about women's clothing?
How does Gerald describe women he disapproves of?
How does Gerald describe women he disapproves of?
What does Mrs. Birling suggest about Eva's feelings?
What does Mrs. Birling suggest about Eva's feelings?
She claims that Eva is incapable of having feelings.
Why does Mr. Birling avoid making speeches at Sheila?
Why does Mr. Birling avoid making speeches at Sheila?
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What challenge did Eva Smith pose to Mr. Birling?
What challenge did Eva Smith pose to Mr. Birling?
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How does Gerald depict Sheila's emotional capacity?
How does Gerald depict Sheila's emotional capacity?
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Gerald believes that young women should be protected from unpleasant things.
Gerald believes that young women should be protected from unpleasant things.
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The quote about Sheila listening to a distressing story suggests women are seen as emotionally strong.
The quote about Sheila listening to a distressing story suggests women are seen as emotionally strong.
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What does the quote about 'fat old tarts' suggest about women's objectification?
What does the quote about 'fat old tarts' suggest about women's objectification?
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Study Notes
Gender Perspectives in "An Inspector Calls"
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Mr. Birling expresses a patronising attitude towards women, suggesting their clothing represents self-respect. This reflects his belief in a stereotypical view of women's identities as uniform and shallow.
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Gerald's derogatory remark about "hard-eyed dough-faced women" illustrates his superficial standards and objectification of women, indicating that he lacks depth in his understanding of women's value.
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Mrs. Birling's dismissal of Eva's feelings as "absurd" demonstrates the cruelty of women upholding patriarchal values, revealing a failure to empathize with other women, particularly those from the working class.
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Mr. Birling implies that Sheila's lack of understanding requires him to withhold speeches from her, reflecting the societal belief that women were intellectually inferior and unfit for serious discussions.
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Eva Smith's challenge of Mr. Birling's authority over wages signifies her independence and strength as a working-class woman, defying the expectation that women should remain subservient.
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Gerald's comment about Sheila being unable to handle emotional situations underscores the societal view of women as weak and fragile, often relying on men to speak for them.
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Gerald's belief that young women need protection from unpleasant realities reflects a common patriarchal notion that women were inherently weak, contributing to their exclusion from decisions like voting.
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The suggestion that Sheila should not witness distressing stories reinforces the stereotype that women cannot handle emotional hardship, further entrenching their subjugation.
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Remarks such as "I hate these fat old tarts" reveal the objectification of women, implying that their worth is tied to physical appearance, perpetuating the idea that they exist to please men.
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Description
Explore key gender-related quotes from J.B. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls'. This flashcard quiz highlights significant insights into the characters' views on women and societal expectations. Test your understanding of the themes and character attitudes in this classic play.
