Contextualising gender expectations in ‘An Inspector Calls' | English

Starter quiz

In which year is 'An Inspector Calls' set?

1900

1910

1912 ✓

1945
In which year did J.B. Priestley write 'An Inspector Calls' ?

'1945' ✓
Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' into chronological order.

1

⇔

The Birlings celebrate Sheila and Gerald’s engagement.

2

⇔

Birling dismisses war and social responsibility in his speech.

3

⇔

Inspector Goole arrives and announces a woman's suicide.

4

⇔

Birling admits firing the woman for demanding higher wages.

5

⇔

Sheila reveals she got the woman dismissed out of jealousy.

6

⇔

Gerald confesses to a past affair with the woman.
Match the characters from 'An Inspector Calls' to the correct description of their role in Eva Smith's death.

Mr. Birling

⇔

Fires Eva Smith for her role in a workers' dispute over pay. ✓

Eric Birling

⇔

Stole money to to help Eva Smith after discovering her pregnancy. ✓

Sheila Birling

⇔

Has Eva Smith fired over jealousy of a dress. ✓

Gerald Croft

⇔

Had an affair with Eva Smith and supported her financially for a time. ✓
Which of the following sentences does not use tentative language?

Perhaps he hoped his audience might recognise the need for change.

This may reflect Priestley’s hope for a more just society.

Priestley served as a soldier in World War I. ✓

Arguably, Priestley’s industrial upbringing exposed him to class inequalities.
Which of these could be considered key themes in ‘An Inspector Calls’?

social responsibility ✓

governmental corruption

class and power ✓

generational conflict ✓

environmental stability

Exit quiz

What does the term "gender roles" refer to?

the physical attributes of men and women

the stereotypical behaviour expected of men and women ✓

the historical roles of kings and queens

the job responsibilities assigned to men and women
Which word beginning with 'f' can be described as: pointless or ineffective, and will not lead to any useful result or meaningful change

'futile' ✓
Complete the sentence: In 'An Inspector Calls' at the beginning of Act 1, Mrs Birling describes the work that men do as ______.

"important" ✓

"flexible"

"useful"

"necessary"

"demanding"
Which of the following best describes how Eva Smith's working-class position affects her in 'An Inspector Calls'?

She challenges societal gender roles.

She is protected from societal expectations due to her wealth.

She is given more opportunities and independence.

She is judged harshly and faces exploitation. ✓
In 'An Inspector Calls' at the beginning of Act 1, Mr Birling suggests that clothes are important to women as they ...

are a reflection of their "social status"

make them "prettier" ✓

are the key to their "happiness"

are a sign of "self-respect" ✓
Which is the best interpretation for the statement that Priestley’s ending of 'An Inspector Calls' could be seen as both hopeful and futile?

change is impossible, and society will never learn

Priestley suggests that gender roles are no longer relevant

change is possible, but not everyone is ready to challenge outdated beliefs ✓

women will always challenge societal expectations

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Arguably, gender stereotypes and expectations exist in society and impact the way we perceive ourselves and others.
Gender and class are inextricably linked and impact the lives and experiences of people differently.
Gender roles were more traditionally defined in Edwardian society.
Priestley was writing in post-war Britain which saw the traditional expectations of gender roles being challenged.
Priestley’s ending is both hopeful, with characters challenging views, and futile, as society repeats its mistakes.

Common misconception

Priestley suggests that all gender roles have been successfully challenged by the end of the play.

A more nuanced view is that argaubly Priestley shows both progress and resistance, suggesting that while some characters challenge gender roles, societal change is slow and not fully realised.

Keywords

Stereotype - a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like
Futile - pointless or ineffective, and will not lead to any useful result or meaningful change
Enforce - make sure something is obeyed or carried out, often by applying rules, laws, or authority
Gender roles - the stereotypical role or behaviour considered to be appropriate to a particular gender
Traditional - a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by people for a long time; old-fashioned