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Themes :mag: - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Symbolic of a traditional 1912 woman
      - She only vocalises her opinions about other women and is careful of speaking out about men
      - Despite the fact that she is from the class above Mr Birling, because she is a woman she is automatically his subordinate
      - She was judgemental and strict to represent the people in 1940 who wanted to revert to the old ways
      - Her conservative views support the patriarchal rule- probably due to her upbringing
      - Targets her misogyny to lower class women
    - - Throughout the play we see Sheila transform from a stereotypical middle class daughter to a woman who is self- assured, wise and independant
      - The inspector allows Sheila to speak her mind and opinions which is different to her usual life with her father- this empowers her and shows that respecting women gives them autonomy and a confidence in themselves
      - Sheila is a bridge between the conservative, Mrs Birling and the assertive, Eva Smith
      - Her character could be seen to represent the progression in women's suffrage from 1912- 1945 (a representation of the new woman)
    - - Antithesis of Mrs Birling- Eva voices her opinion and works hard
      - Although she has endured a lot of hardship, Priestley does not suggest she is weak
      - she is assertive, outspoken, determined, and righteous
      - Prestley suggests these characteristics are the reason she was treated so badly by the Birlings
      - Eva is representative of all working class women- It could be argued that each step in Eva's story represents a different way women are oppressed (like she represents many different stories
  - - - Symbol of patriarchy and sexist views
      - He expects everything he wishes to be done- this emulates the dominance men had over women at the time
      - Mr Birling's misogyny blinds him to the cruelty of what he does to Eva- he does not see her as a real person
      - He prioritises fellow mens decisions over women
      - During his celebratory speech, Mr Birling speaks directly to Gerald showing he cares more about him than his own daughter
      - Mr Birling ignores that it is a celebration of Gerald and Sheila and instead focuses on how it benefits him- this highlights how he has ownership over Sheila's decisions and his narcissism (self-obsession)
      - After learning about Gerald's affair he sides with him instead of Sheila- he does not actually care for his daughter's marriage
    - - The younger generation of men are taught misogyny by their fathers
      - Priestley presents misogyny as a tradition that is to be sustained for men
      - Priestley uses Eric and his father's relationship with his father to examine the damaging effects of masculinity- suggesting that they are constantly competing for power
      - Mr Birling views Eric as inadequate and inexperienced- Peristley suggests this toxic masculinity prevents men, even as close as father and son, to support each other and instead makes them fear one another
      - Some may argue Eric is hypocritical as he shames people for taking advantage of prostitutes and desperate women, when he actually does this himself
      - Eric blames the 'tarts' for the situation he, and many other middle/upper class men, contribute to. Eric describes Eva Smith as not the 'usual sort', suggesting that it was ok that he slept with her because she was the more tasteful and respectable option
    - - He is a well- liked and respected man in town, making him the ideal son-in-law
      - Underneath his charming exterior, Gerald's misogyny is insidious (subtle but harmful), he is manipulative and selfish towards women, revealing even the most respectable men can be corrupt
      - Gerald speaks over Sheila, aiming to assert dominance over her, as a woman
      - Uses Eva as a physical token of his masculinity