Compare how Priestley links the inequality between the genders as linked to the broader issues of social justice in the play

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Social injustice

Context

unfair treatment : a situation in which the rights of a person or a group of people are ignored. The organization is devoted to fighting economic/racial/social injustice. protection against injustice.

social injustice is compounded in the play by Gender

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Gender

Women were recognised as being more capable after the second world war (when the play was written) .

quotations

"We were paying the usual rates and if they didn't like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else."

Mr Birling is from a lower social class group, but is a man so therefore is more powerful than Mrs Birling even though shes been in a higher social class for her whole life.

Is Status more important than Gender?

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Set just after the First World War but written after the Second World War.

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Priestley firmly believes in socialism and at the time the play is very much capitalism based

Religion

Religion was of paramount importance at the time

Male priests etc

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"She'd had a lot to say - far too much - she had to go."

"Young and fresh and charming"

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Objectification of Eva Smith
Implies that she is just 'fresh' meat

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"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!"

This is said by Mrs Birling and its interesting because they're both of the same Gender; however Mrs Birling is from a higher Social class so it connotes that Social class plays a greater role in society and how you're viewed in society rather than your Gender.

Suggests that Eva Smith isn't the only Woman that suffers, this is further compounded by her name acting as a microcosm as 'smith' is a incredibly common name and it represents a majority of people.

"There are millions and millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths"

Mr Birling fired her because she spoke out and abused his power as he was of a higher social class than her.

"Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along."

This quotation suggests that he (Mr Birling) is trying to protect her from having anything to do with the situation. It seems that Sheila is very protected from unpleasant things like this, and always has been. The Inspector tells Sheila what has happened, and she is shocked. She says, "Oh, how terrible". In an interested way she asks, "Was it an accident?" It is obvious the news has upset Sheila, because the stage directions in front of what she says are, "rather distressed". This implies that she is sensitive, as at that point she doesn't even realise she knows this girl and the audience know that she does in fact know her but cab't remember her and this evokes dramatic irony.