Class Tension
English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 2.1.2
Class Tension
Even within the upper-class families, we see some tension because of their class differences.
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 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
- All of the characters feel justified (like they have good reason) in their mistreatment of Eva Smith because she was from the lower classes.
Test yourself on Class Tension
Who do all the characters feel they can mistreat because of her class status?
Who disapproves of Sheila and Gerald's engagement because of Sheila's social status?
Who is socially superior?