Analyse the Role of the Female Character in an Inspector Calls

Analyse the role of the female characters in An Inspector Calls

Priestley includes a range of female characters in An Inspector Calls from an upper class snob, through a vain daughter to an oppressed factory worker. Throughout this play, the selfishness and moral hypocrisy of upper middle-class capitalist society is revealed. The vulnerability of women evokes sympathy, which supports Priestley’s belief in gender equality and community as “one body”.

At the beginning of the play, Sybil Birling is physically distant from her husband as they sit at each end of the dinner table. This symbolizes the tension between them, which is a result of a power struggle: Mrs Birling feels socially superior due to her higher class to him; but as a woman, is required to submit to him. Thus she tells Mr Birling he is “ not supposed to say such things-“ and he more or less disregards her. This form of snobbery gradually develops to a point later in the play when she calls Eva a “girl of that sort.” She represents the ignorant older capitalist generation that Priestley implies was responsible for the inequality of the society at that time and which led to the younger generation suffering in “ fire and blood and anguish.”

Like her mother, Sheila represents a female stereotype of 1912: she is frivolous, vain and proud, “Very pleased with life.” She is more concerned with the ring than the actual engagement: “I think it’s perfect. Now I really feel engaged.” This demonstrates her superficiality. From the beginning of the play Sheila is seen as an oblivious, self-satisfied lady, unaware of her surroundings. As the inspector’s interrogation begins the audience feels the change taken place in Sheila, from asking “pretty?” to arguing “ But these girls aren’t cheap labour-they’re people.” She therefore progressively shows compassion for Eva. Priestley uses Sheila as an example of the people who exploit their high status to put people down. Despite all of these, Sheila confesses her moral crime, “enters, looks as if she’s been crying.” She feels remorseful, “It was my own fault.” Which seems immoral in her parent’s eyes. As this splits the family; it also shows the split between capitalism and socialism. As the inspector leaves, the audience no longer perceives a shallow, materialistic girl, but more of a mature, independent, post-war woman. “If you want to know it’s you two who are being childish-trying not to face the facts.” She has grown out of the immature spoilt girl that she appeared to be at the beginning of the play.” Don't interfere, please father. Gerald knows what I mean, and you apparently don't.” As throughout the pay Priestley shows hints that there is hope in the younger generation as they are more aware of their responsibilities and are willing to learn. Sheila was to reflect on women’s independence. She mocks her parent’s stupidity with a sarcastic attitude as she says bitterly “ I suppose we’re all nice people now.” The progression from capitalism to socialism is less important to Sheila but more of the progression of women from seen and not heard, to heard and seen as much as or more than men which Priestley strongly believed in gender equality. (Sheila’s own personal attitude was probably what a lot of young women’s attitude and behavior was like
The ordinariness of the name “Eva” could possibly refer to the first woman created by God - Eve or the archetypal woman. The most common surname of Smith may represent every woman of the working class and womankind. The fact that she never appears on stage makes her the driving force of the play. Eva Smith was in a terrible position back when the society did not value women and women were not given the rights to vote. As a working class, a job was crucial, there was no social security at that time and without a job meant no financial income. Prostitution was one of the few choices that a woman could turn to. The attitude towards Eva was the attitude given to women of the working class at that period of time. The audience may not have undergone the harshness of Eva’s Life, but we see a small glimpse as we hear the stories of her numerous sufferings. The audience is invited to reside on Eva’s vulnerability and sufferings as she goes through an exploitative employer, two men sexually abusing her, her powerlessness caused by her gender, class and poverty. The contrast between Eva Smith and Sheila Birling created by Priestley is significant. Both characters are around the same age, both female, but came from opposite backgrounds. Sheila has a higher social status while Eva is from the lowest class. Priestley made the audience feel more sympathetic towards Eva without the need to meet her character. The contrast itself makes the Birling’s actions towards Eva even more unjustified. For Sheila had a nicer lifestyle and more advantages while Eva had the complete opposite.

It is therefore clear that, the role of the three different women is very different. It does however have similarities. Women at this time were not equal to men; and this can be seen through each character’s role. Mrs. Birling is interrupted and put down by her husband, Sheila is told to calm down and immoral men harassed Eva Smith. This is plainly depicted with each character and her role, this enforces the belief at that time that women were not equal to men, no matter the class.