An Inspector Calls – Episode 10: Women & Gender

Summary

This video explores the role of women and attitudes towards gender in J.B. Priestley's play *An Inspector Calls*. It examines the historical context of women's rights in early 20th-century Britain, highlighting the limitations they faced and the gradual progress made up to 1945. The analysis focuses on how different female characters in the play represent various social attitudes, from conservative to progressive, and how Priestley uses these characters to critique gender inequality and advocate for societal change. The video also contrasts the lives of privileged and working-class women, emphasizing the impact of gender on their experiences.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚖️ Women in 1912 had limited rights compared to today, with significant inequalities in marriage, property, and custody rights.
• 🏛️ Women's social and legal freedoms were gradually improving, but they still faced many challenges, especially before 1918 when they were granted the right to vote and stand for Parliament.
• 💼 In 'An Inspector Calls,' JB Priestley explores gender roles and attitudes towards women, contrasting the old ways with modern perspectives.
• 🧕 Mrs. Burling represents the older generation, content with her privileged position as a wealthy woman who does not feel the effects of gender discrimination.
• 💍 Sheila, a younger woman, is more liberal and defiant, reflecting the shifting attitudes towards women's roles and expectations in relationships.
• 👗 The male characters in the play view women as preoccupied with clothes, using this as a symbol of their self-respect and identity, showcasing male condescension towards women.
• 👨‍⚖️ Gender stereotypes are reinforced throughout the play, as men make decisions and control finances, while women are seen as needing protection or being lesser than men.
• 🤰 Eva Smith’s role as a poor, working-class woman highlights the additional struggles women faced due to gender and class, illustrating how these factors shaped their destinies.
• ⚖️ There is a clear divide between men and women in terms of cultural expectations, with men holding power over women in both personal and professional spheres.
• 🔍 The play critiques societal double standards, particularly in the way men justify their treatment of women, while women are judged more harshly for their actions, as seen in the characters' treatment of Eva Smith.

Q & A

What rights did women gain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as mentioned in the video?

Women gained several rights during this period, including the right to separate from abusive husbands and claim custody of their children in 1878, the ability to own their own property after marriage in 1882, and the right to receive maintenance payments after a divorce in 1907.

How did Mrs. Burling represent traditional gender roles in 'An Inspector Calls'?

Mrs. Burling represents traditional gender roles by accepting her societal position as a wealthy woman. She doesn't feel the effects of gender discrimination due to her privilege, and she expects women to conform to the same traditional roles, like accepting a husband's work demands without question.

What is the significance of Eva Smith being a poor woman and not a poor man in the play?

Eva Smith's gender plays a crucial role in the story, as it highlights how women in her position had even less power and fewer opportunities than men. Her struggle symbolizes the intersection of class and gender oppression, emphasizing her vulnerability in a male-dominated society.

How does the contrast between Sheila and Mrs. Burling illustrate changing attitudes towards gender roles?

Sheila, as a younger woman, shows more modern and liberal attitudes, expressing defiance toward traditional gender expectations, such as rejecting her mother’s advice to accept a husband's infidelity. Mrs. Burling, on the other hand, holds onto more traditional views, believing in clear gender roles where men dominate public life and women stay in their 'place.'

How does JB Priestley use the character of Mr. Burling to represent chauvinistic attitudes towards women?

Mr. Burling's dismissive comments about women, such as when he claims that clothes mean something different to women by linking them to self-respect, showcase his chauvinistic views. He sees women primarily in terms of their appearance and as dependent on men, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

What does Sheila’s reaction to her engagement party reveal about her attitudes toward gender roles?

Sheila's acceptance of leaving the room when the men want to smoke cigars and discuss 'manly' topics shows her initial compliance with traditional gender roles. However, her later defiance and rejection of her mother's outdated views suggest that she is torn between traditional and modern values.

What is the significance of the separation of men and women in different rooms during the play?

The separation of men and women into different rooms symbolizes the social divide between genders in 1912. Men dominated discussions of business and politics, while women were expected to remain in the domestic sphere, highlighting the limited roles women could play in public life.

How does the play highlight the objectification of women, especially in the character of Eva Smith?

The characters' memories of Eva Smith focus primarily on her physical appearance, reinforcing the idea that women were often valued more for their looks than their abilities or humanity. This objectification reflects broader societal attitudes where women were viewed as secondary to men.

What attitudes towards women are revealed through Gerald’s interactions with Sheila and Eva Smith?

Gerald’s attitude reflects the idea that women should be 'protected' from harsh realities, as seen when he tries to shield Sheila from learning about Eva's death. His affair with Eva Smith also shows how women, particularly lower-class women, were often treated as disposable and subordinate to men’s desires.

Why is the term 'hysterical' significant in the context of gender politics in 'An Inspector Calls'?

The term 'hysterical,' which has its roots in the word for 'womb,' was historically used to dismiss women's emotions as irrational or excessive. When Sheila is accused of being hysterical, it reflects the patronizing attitude of men who believed women’s emotions were uncontrollable and linked to their biology.