2.1.2

Class Tension

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Class Tension

Even within the upper-class families, we see some tension because of their class differences.

Mr and Mrs Birling

Mr and Mrs Birling

  • J.B. Priestley makes the audience aware that Mrs Birling is actually socially superior (higher in rank) to Mr Birling, because her family had a higher social status before she married him.
  • But he is in control of her and his family because he is male in a patriarchal (male ruled) society.
Gerald and Sheila

Gerald and Sheila

  • Gerald would also be Sheila’s social superior (higher in rank) when they got married because of his gender and wealth.
  • But his mother (Lady Croft) disapproves of Sheila because she is a lower class than Gerald – Lord and Lady Croft refuse to accept the dinner invitation to celebrate the engagement.
  • The Birlings are happy for Sheila to make this match to someone of a higher social class.
Eva Smith

Eva Smith

  • All of the characters feel justified (like they have good reason) in their mistreatment of Eva Smith because she was from the lower classes.
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1

Plot Summary

1.1

Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes
1.2

Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes
1.3

Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3
2

Context & Key Themes

2.1

Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3

Key Characters

3.1

Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes3.1.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality
3.2

Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling
3.3

Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis3.3.2Sheila Quotes3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila
3.4

Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis3.4.2Eric Quotes
3.5

Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis3.5.2Gerald Quotes3.5.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals
3.6

Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole3.6.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost
3.7

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters
4

Authorial Method

4.1

Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony4.1.2Structure & Chronology4.1.3Structure & Chronology 24.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Mr Birling Quotes

5.1.1Mr Birling Quotes Act 15.1.2Mr Birling Quotes Act 25.1.3Mr Birling Quotes Act 3
5.2

Mrs Birling Quotes

5.2.1Mrs Birling Quotes Act 15.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes Act 25.2.3Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3
5.3

Sheila Quotes

5.3.1Sheila Quotes Act 15.3.2Sheila Quotes Act 25.3.3Sheila Quotes Act 3
5.4

Eric Quotes

5.4.1Eric Quotes Act 15.4.2Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)5.4.3Eric Quotes Act 3
5.5

Gerald Quotes

5.5.1Gerald Quotes Act 15.5.2Gerald Quotes Act 25.5.3Gerald Quotes Act 3
5.6

Inspector Goole Quotes

5.6.1Inspector Goole Quotes Act 15.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes Act 25.6.3Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3

Practice questions on Class Tension

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Who do all the characters feel they can mistreat because of her class status?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Who disapproves of Sheila and Gerald's engagement because of Sheila's social status?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Who is socially superior?True / false
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Social Class & Equality

Abuse of Power & Corruption