https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl Type your answer here - you have 20 minutes en-us 2021-01-17 22:35:10 UTC 2026-02-05 02:44:22 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097606574 Initially, Priestley presents women as not only powerless but as complicit in the patriarchal and social structures. However, later in the play Priestley also constructs women as progressive and agents of social change. Perhaps, Priestley wanted to demonstrate that Women are equal to men in accordance to socialist doctrines and that even though women -like  the working class- despite being debilitated by society and its rules, they still hold vast power which through unity in Socialism can be unlocked  and utilised.                                            At first, Priestley constructs the women in the play as powerless and lacking agency. This comes as Mrs Birling, despite being her husband's 'social superior', is submissive and deeply  subservient to him. Furthermore, Sheila is presented as a feeble and childlike through her innocence and  frivolity as she is still calls her mother 'mummy'. This highlights that despite being a young woman, she is sheltered from the negative aspects of life and is purposefully kept naïve. As a result she can be kept as weak and powerless just because she is a woman and viewed as such by the establishment. Also Mr Birling believes that Eva had 'far too much to say' and therefore 'had to go'. Thus demonstrating that society had constructed women as a feeble powerful force and those that went against the establishment would be marginalised until they conform or be eliminated entirely. This demonstrates the strict Edwardian gender roles which clearly defined the role of women both domestically and socially. ]]> 2021-01-18 10:50:15 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097606574 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097606787 Priestley's presentation of female characters in An Inspector Calls helps build up and glorify the values of socialism, while villainising the upper class and their capitalist views. The characters of Sheila, Mrs Birling and Eva Smith act as a vehicle for Priestley's aims to make clear antagonists, heroes and victims in his play, forcing these female characters into greater symbols of political beliefs.

At first Priestley introduces a form of sheltered immaturity and ignorance, Sheila. By doing so, Priestley wishes to condemn the selfish acts of naïve and spoilt upper class members and insight change in their political standings. Sheila's immaturity in addressing her mother as "mummy" paired with her "pleased with life" perspective clearly illustrates her lack of knowledge of real world issues. The use of the verb "pleased" also could indicate to the audience Sheila's lack of financial or social struggle, making ]]> 2021-01-18 10:50:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097606787 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097607352 At first, Eva Smith is shown as a powerless lower class woman. Then, Mrs Birling is presented as a privileged upper class woman. Perhaps Priestley does this to show that the class system is a defining feature on your position in society.]]> 2021-01-18 10:50:31 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097607352 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097608427 The women in the play are presented as powerless and without a voice at first, until Sheila begins to become more dynamic and progressive by pushing forward her own views and challenging her father. Priestley may be trying to highlight the issues with a patriarchal society and at the same time give praise to the progressive younger generation for attempting to make a change 

Priestley presents the women in the play as powerless and submissive. Mrs Birling states that women 'just have to get used to it, just as I had' when referring to Gerald taking a long "business" trip. The verb 'used' highlights the expectation of women to simply accept their role and not to attempt to change it. Priestley highlights the rigid gender roles and societal expectations for  women  almost creating a sense of sympathy for Women of the Edwardian period.

Whist Priestley tries to show the audience the main issue surrounding women, it becomes more noticeable, later on in the play, that Sheila is actually thinking for herself and  discovering the errors in her fathers ideals for herself. Sheila makes the comment 'they're not cheap labour' when referring to the girls in the employment of Mr Birling. This shows Sheila is becoming more socially aware as she is now challenging Mr Birling's views , that are mainly driven by an avaricious greed for money. Priestley could be trying to praise the progressive younger generation.]]> 2021-01-18 10:50:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097608427 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097608452 Priestley presents ]]> 2021-01-18 10:50:54 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097608452 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097611722 At first, Sheila is presented as a static, ignorant and privileged, taking everything she gets for granted and wilfully ignoring all the issues with the world. However later, after the inspector’s interference as an inciting force for change, she becomes aware of the social divide and understands the moral standards of society. Perhaps Priestley highlighted this to emphasise how important it was for those in the upper echelon of society to change for better, understanding the moral values needed to live in a functioning society.

Initially, Priestley highlights Sheila as a static and privileged character who is "pleased with life" and has no struggles due to the stereotypical Edwardian lifestyle that was laid out for a young female during that time period. The adjective "pleased" conveys the idea that she has nothing to worry about due to her social position and privilege because of her families position, seeing as they are in the upper class, Sheila doesn't need to worry or be concerned about anything due to the fact that she wont be required to get a job later in life as she'll be married off to a rich man who benefits Mr Birling more than anyone]]> 2021-01-18 10:51:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097611722 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613238 At first, Priestley presents women in a plethora of ways: voiceless; naive; lacking agency, and most importantly, powerless. However later, through the transformation and enlightenment of Sheila Birling, women are presented as progressive and catalysts of change. Perhaps Priestley shows such a drastic change to show the ability of both the characters and the audience to transform into morally respectable and socially responsible characters and shows the need for women to reject the deplorable patriarchy and instead accept change.  

Priestley presents women as voiceless and powerless through the character of Eva Smith. Alike many "girls of that class", Eva is marginalised, exploited and ostracised by members of the upper echelon. By being repetitively exploited, Eva represents the "millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths" who too are in grave need of equality and a welfare state. As a political diatribe against the ills of capitalism, Priestley heralds the need of a welfare state as seminal to support the most vulnerable in society, like Eva Smith. Furthermore, by being faceless, Eva Smith is constructed to embody all problems that working class women faced within both society and the workplace, as shown when Eva's picture is shown to only one character at a time. 

Priestley constructs the character of Mrs Birling to be static, wilfully ignorant and lacking agency. She is a caricature of the older generation who refuse to transform into socially responsible characters. By being her "husband's. social superior" she is depicted as officious to those of the lower classes, yet still submissive to her husband. ]]> 2021-01-18 10:52:23 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613238 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613308 'An Inspector Calls', a didactic morality play heralded as integral to the forthcoming of post-war socialist reform in England, explores gender more widely as a disparate distinction of right and worth within society; Priestley presents female characters as deferential, subservient but not readily acquiescent, exhibited through the female characters who all dispute powerful men at the end of the play. Perhaps Priestly propounds the necessity of progression within society, particular from socially responsible women.

Firstly, Priestley presents Mrs Birling as deferential in spite of her 'social superiority'. In the play, Sybil Birling is is constructed as the caricature of the women of the immoral elite, who cast disfavour over those inferior to them: interestingly, she forfeits her this feudal conceit to Mr Birling, following strict orders to leave the room as the men discuss the political agenda, acquisitive interest and "community and all that nonsense". Here, Priestley broaches that Sybil Birling, and in turn upper class capitalist women are subjugated by their husbands and must therefore dismiss their 'social superiority', aligning with the current role of women of etiquette in society being possession of their husbands and fathers. Priestley cements Sybil Birling's deference through her leaving the room, projecting her as incapable of understanding or contributing to such a conversation]]> 2021-01-18 10:52:24 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613308 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613657 Priestley constructs female characters in an inspector calls as sculpted and modeled based on both their class and age. This allows for stubborn and selfish characters such as Mrs Birling, naive but capable of change like Sheila or completely subordinate such as Edna. This is perhaps done by Priestley to show the effects of upbringings and how this results in the adoption of negative attributes like unchecked capitalism.

At the beginning of the play, Priestley presents Mrs Birling and Sheila as subordinate and submissive despite Mrs Birling being Mr Birling's "social superior". This is crucial as it sets to stone both the role and responsibility that women of that class are expected to align with. We then see Sheila refer to her mother as "mummy" despite being in her "early twenties" rather "pleased with life", emphasising how she is sheltered from societal problems stemmed from both her naive character but also her wilfully ignorant and dismissive parents.]]> 2021-01-18 10:52:31 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613657 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613663 Initially, the female characters within the play are shown to lack agency and power as well as to be obsequious to the patriarchy. However as the play progresses, we observe Sheila become hope for and an agent of change as she is enli. Perhaps Priestley did this to highlight the progressive and socially responsible nature, exemplified by Sheila, that we all need to adopt as a society in order to better ourselves.  
At the beginning, the women within the play are all voiceless and lack agency,

]]> 2021-01-18 10:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097613663 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097614476 Initially, Priestley presents Sheila as a naive and sheltered character, she refers to Ms. Birling as 'mummy' and depicts the stereotypical youthful upperclass woman, shielded from the unpleasant aspects of the world. Sheila later becomes an atypical woman of the Edwardian era and hope for an agent of change, she shares socialist views like the Inspector and becomes a more amiable character, perhaps  Priestley does this to show the importance in gender equity, and that the audience too have the power to change into morally respectable characters whether they are a man or woman.

Priestley presents women as powerless and submissive initially, and through the character of Eva Smith depicts the rigid patriarchy of the time, being fired for wanting better pay by Mr. Birling 'a hard-headed practical man of business']]> 2021-01-18 10:52:49 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097614476 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097615883 Despite the differences in class of the female characters we see the familiar themes of submissiveness, dependency on men as well as progressiveness. perhaps Priestley does this to enlighten the 1945 audience on the horrors faced by women and the need to not go back to that stage, not only this we see the indoctrination of women as being powerless.
Initially we see Sheila as a wilfully ignorant and entitled young women. Priestley shows this when he is describing her in the opening stage directions in which he says the Sheila is, "pleased with life". This shows that Sheila is either a cold person who does not care about the struggles of the poor or that she is oblivious to the social travesties happening around her aiding the argument that she is unwilfully ignorant. We also see Sheila's entitlement when she feels that she has the authority to have someone sacked just because they may have laughed at you in a drees. Priestley may have also done this t show the detrimental but also great impact the upper class could have on someone of lower class. However we see the transition of Sheila into an enlightened young women who is progressive in her thoughts and socially responsible. Priestley may have done this to particularly appeal to the young as they were future.
However this was in direct contrast to Mrs Birling.


]]> 2021-01-18 10:53:17 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097615883 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097617032 At first, Sheila and Mrs Birling are introduced as characters who embody the gender norms of their era, whether it be Victorian or Edwardian, through their presentation. However as the play progresses, Sheila, due to her being a dynamic character, begins to change and become less ignorant as she accepts herself as socially responsible for being a part of Eva Smith's suicide. Perhaps Priestley did this in order to present the younger generation as having the ability to change for the better, as well as the benefit of subverting the gender norms in order to progress in life.

Initially, Sheila is introduced ignorant and sheltered. She is introduced as 'pleased with life' and 'rather excited', the adjective 'pleased' highlights Sheila as sheltered as she grew up in a privileged and comfortable environment, meaning she has not had to experience the negative aspects of life.]]> 2021-01-18 10:53:43 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097617032 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097617328 Priestley presents female characters in An Inspector calls in different ways throughout the text: at first, both Sheila and Mrs Birling are presented similarly in a sense that each character embody the stereotypes of upper class females in society. However later, we witness the dynamic actions of Sheila in which directly contrast and severe as a foil to Mrs Birling who fails to become socially responsible. Perhaps Priestley has chosen to present females in the play like this in order to serve an example to the audience of common traits attached to females attempting to constantly fit their privileged norm.

Initially in Act One, both Sheila and Mrs Birling are presented as conventional products of an upper class driven society. Sheila, an embodiment of the sheltered younger generation, exemplifies the traditional behaviour of a female belonging to the younger generation in society as she expresses her status through the engagement ring when saying "now I really feel engaged." The adverb 'now' simply indicates that unless she receives materialistic items, she does not feel complete. ]]> 2021-01-18 10:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097617328 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097618318 Initially, Priestley presents women as voiceless, docile and complicit in the patriarchy. However, later in the play, Priestley establishes a difference in female characters, with some showing progression and agency of change. Perhaps, Priestley depicts this abrupt change in the viewpoint of female characters in order to highlight that there is hope in the younger generations of upper class for more progressive views and a stride for equality.

Priestley presents the female characters as docile and complicit in the patriarchy. In Act One, Mrs Birling is observed to tell Sheila that "you'll have to get used to it [absence of Gerald], just as I had". The verb "have to" highlights the power of the patriarchy, denoting that it is inevitable that Gerald will cheat on Sheila and that she is impotent to this as a result of the patriarchy. Furthermore, when proposed a ring, Sheila is observed to ask "is it the one you wanted me to have?". Here, Priestley explicitly highlights the prioritisation of Gerald's opinions over Sheila's in her own ring, further manifesting the power of the patriarchy. Perhaps, Priestley initially presents women as complicit to the patriarchy to enable a more lucid transformation of character for the progressive characters such as Sheila Birling later in the play.


]]> 2021-01-18 10:54:11 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097618318 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097620548 2021-01-18 10:54:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097620548 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097621346 Priestley explores the marginalized position of women in society repetitively in his play An Inspector Calls. He presents each female character differently in relation to their social status. He conveys how those with lower status, especially women, struggle the most and are most vulnerable and how women with higher status can be ignorant, sheltered.]]> 2021-01-18 10:55:13 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097621346 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097625227 Initially, the female characters within the play are shown to lack agency and power as well as to be obsequious to the patriarchy. However as the play progresses, we observe Sheila become hope for and an agent of change. Perhaps Priestley does this to highlight the progressive and socially responsible nature, exemplified by Sheila, that we all need to adopt as a society in order to better ourselves. 

At the beginning, Priestley conveys the women as submissive to the patriarchy and lacking agency. The stereotypical subservience expected of women is modelled when Sheila asks Gerald "Is it the one you wanted me to have?". Not only is this evidence of the prominent patriarchy of the time, but it also highlights how women of any class are not able to voice their opinions freely and are instead treated as possessions - fed and dressed by men as if they were dolls. Furthemore, Mrs Birling, who is her husband's social superior,  tells Sheila that she will "have to get used to it, just as I had" when referring to Gerald's frequent "business" trips. The imperative "have to" underscores Mrs Birling's willing compliance with the patriarchy as she is aware that she would not be able to change the outcome of anything even if she was against her husband's constant absence. Perhaps Priestley does this to highlight the strict and ruinous hold that patriarchy has over our society and how it stifles the voices of women nationally. ]]> 2021-01-18 10:56:36 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097625227 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097628890 2021-01-18 10:57:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097628890 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097630281 Priestley attempts to convey women from all types of social backgrounds as voiceless, powerless but capable of progression and agents of change. Women are presented as victims to their environment and forced to see the truth of their society in order to better themselves. Perhaps Priestley uses women as a vehicle to enlighten the post-war audience to the truth that the social divide between classes is still very prominent and change is still necessary. 

Due to the patriarchal society during the Edwardian era, women were forced to be voiceless, powerless and lacking agency. Sheila, an embodiment of this, complies with society's expectations when she says 'Is this the one you wanted me to have?'. Here she is seen as subservient and submissive to Gerald. This also highlights how women were materialistic, superficial and unable to think for themselves and have their own opinion. Mrs Birling as says that Sheila will just 'have to get used to it' regarding Gerald's 'business' trips.

]]> 2021-01-18 10:58:24 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097630281 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097633237 Priestley presents female characters as a product of their environment, choosing to create the females within the play as reactive, rather than proactive, which directly opposes the dominant and proactive nature of the men within the play. Priestley may have chosen this in order to display that only certain people within society can make the required and necessary change. 

Eva Smith all throughout the play is shown to be reactive. An example of this would be her looking for work after losing her job, having to react to Mr Birling’s decision, instead going to Millwards for work; or her seeking of help in Gerald after Sheila gets her fired, ultimately leaving her with no where to go; or her final reaction, her suicide as a reaction to the harsh events she, as the everywoman was forced to endure. Although reactive, Sheila is shown to be proactive in thought, as shown by going on strike in Mr Birling’s factory, showing her progressive nature. However due to her lack of authority, her mindset has no influence, and ultimately results in no progress. By showing the futility of Eva's attempt, Priestley aims to display to the ignorant upper class that only they withhold the power in order to change society for the better. 

Mrs Birling, despite being his social superior, is always reacting to events unlike Mr Birling. Mrs Birling's reactivity can be displayed in multiple instances, with the clearest instance being her refusal of Eva Smith. This shows her reactivity as she chose not to particularly do anything until Eva decided to use the name "Mrs Birling" which she took as an insult due to her pride, potentially stemming from her Victorian upper class upbringing. Priestley, choosing for Mrs Birling not to help Eva,  aims to show how change in society won't just appear, especially so if the upper class do not possess the correct mindset to genuinely help the poor, despite having the power to do so, which is reflected through Mrs Birling's dismissal of Eva's need for assistance, due to a potentially traditional pride. 
Finally is Sheila, although reactive at first, Sheila is the only female to become arguably proactive within An Inspector Calls. At first, Sheila displays a reactive role , similar to the other two women within the play, as she is shown to be affected by outside events, such as the death of Eva, as well as following her mother's orders with no resistance or expression of personal thought on two occasions, such as being ordered to "leave the men", as well as to "ask" Mr Birling something. However, through the Inspector as a catalyst, Sheila transforms into a proactive character, directly opposing the upper class through her parents as well as her rejection of Gerald. Her change is best displayed from her transmission from "mummy" to "mother" showing her more mature and set out mind. Priestley chose to do this in order to show that the newer generations, when guided correctly, such as the Inspector for Sheila, have both the power and mindset to bring about change. 

]]> 2021-01-18 10:59:28 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1097633237 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1100398456 Initially Priestley presents female characters as marginalised from society due to them being voiceless and submissive to patriarchy at hand. However, as the play continues, we become observant of the drastic change we view in Sheila, as she becomes an agent of change. Perhaps, Priestley conveyed this to highlight social responsibility, shown by Sheila, and how it is possible to be obtained by anyone in order to create change within society.]]> 2021-01-19 09:39:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1100398456 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1100431290 2021-01-19 09:49:21 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1100431290 https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1101039208 Initially, Sheila is first presented by Priestley as a naïve, sheltered and childish-like Edwardian girl when she apologizes to her father saying, ‘I'm sorry daddy actually I was listening’. The noun ‘daddy’ shows us her childish nature and the fact that she submits immediately when she apologizes to higher authority. Priestley may therefore be suggesting that despite her age she is still naïve and thus unable to see or understand what is going on around with regards to the lower class. Furthermore, we see Sheila being submissive when she says to Gerald ‘oh, Gerald is that the one you wanted me to have?’. The use of the pronoun, ‘me’ suggests Sheila is subordinate to Gerald as younger women of the day would be. Later, she then asks, ‘mummy isn’t it a beauty?’ which can further show her childish nature. Priestley uses this childish language to highlight the immaturity at this point in the play almost giving us the assumption she will be sheltered forever not being capable to change. Priestley does this to highlight how the younger generations are sheltered off to the cruelty the lower-class face and truly only the younger generation are able to bring change.]]> 2021-01-19 13:10:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hthornton12/njr4cj3hz6acbehl/wish/1101039208