Overview
This lecture explores the role of women and attitudes toward gender in "An Inspector Calls," focusing on the historical context, character analysis, and how gender impacts the story's themes.
Historical Context of Women's Rights
- In 1912, women in the UK had limited legal rights and were dependent on men for property, finances, and status.
- Separation and custody rights for abused wives were only granted in 1878.
- The Married Women’s Property Act (1882) allowed women to own property for the first time.
- Limited protections for divorced women began in 1907; equal voting and employment rights came after 1918.
- Women faced workplace discrimination and lacked basic reproductive and marital rights well into the 20th century.
Gender Roles in "An Inspector Calls"
- Mrs. Birling represents old-fashioned, privileged femininity with social power due to wealth.
- Sheila Birling is a younger, more liberal woman, willing to challenge traditional roles, but still constrained by expectations.
- Edna the maid and Eva Smith represent powerless working-class women at the mercy of male authority.
- The play opens with clear gender divisions: women are excluded from male conversations and are expected to leave for the men’s activities.
Male Attitudes and Female Agency
- Mr. Birling and Gerald express patronizing views about women's abilities and interests, such as handling money and being obsessed with clothes.
- Female characters are often described in terms of appearance, reinforcing their objectification.
- Sheila exhibits defiance against gender norms but also submits to some traditional expectations.
- Gerald and Mr. Birling believe women should be shielded from unpleasant realities and label emotional reactions in women as "hysterical."
Social Judgments and Double Standards
- Social status for women was tied to their relationships with men and their marital status.
- Unmarried, pregnant women were shamed and seen as morally lacking.
- Mrs. Birling harshly judges Eva Smith for being an unmarried pregnant woman.
- Eric's actions toward Eva Smith highlight the lack of recourse for lower-class women against privileged men.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hysteria — a historical term for emotional excess, rooted in sexist beliefs about women’s health.
- Married Women's Property Act — law allowing women to own property independently.
- Tarnished woman — a woman considered to have lost moral standing due to lack of male support or sexual transgressions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Answer practice questions on the position of women in 1912, societal challenges for women, and whether Sheila is a modern woman, using examples from the text.