Characterisation of Women
English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 2.1.7
Mrs Birling
Mrs Birling is submissive to her husband, despite being of a higher class than him. Her main role in society is to make her husband look good.
Female submission
- Although Mrs Birling is of a higher class than Mr Birling, she is submissive to him (lets him control her) because she is female.
- She scolds him gently. But ultimately, he has the power in the family because he is male.
Social roles
- Mrs Birling’s main roles in society (and in the play) are to dress well, to make her husband look good, and sit on the board of a charity.
- She does this so she can look giving and charitable – again, this makes both her and her husband look good.
Sheila
Sheila's role is to be her fiancé Gerald's ornament (object of decoration). As a woman, she is expected to forgive him for being unfaithful.
Sheila's engagement
- At the start of the play, Sheila only feels properly engaged to Gerald when he gives her the ring.
- Her role is to be decorative for him, bear his children, and make him look good.
Forgiving Gerald
- At the end of the story, Sheila is encouraged to marry Gerald even though he’s had an affair.
- People don’t think his transgression (offensive act) is that serious – people don’t think that Eva is an important factor.
- Mr Birling seems to think that Gerald should be forgiven because he is a man who was having fun.
Test yourself on Characterisation of Women
Which of these are true about Mrs Birling?
Mrs Birling is of a higher class than Mr Birling. So why is she submissive to him?
Why does Mr Birling think Sheila should forgive Gerald for sleeping with Eva?