Understanding gender and class through Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls'
I can analyse how Priestley uses Mrs Birling’s character to explore the impact of gender and class expectations.
Understanding gender and class through Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls'
I can analyse how Priestley uses Mrs Birling’s character to explore the impact of gender and class expectations.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Arguably, Priestley uses the characters to critique the flaws of gender and class structures in Edwardian societies.
- Mrs Birling embodies traditional Edwardian norms of gender and class, reinforcing societal hierarchies.
- It could be suggested that Mrs Birling’s response reflects her internalised patriarchal views.
- Mrs Birling's treatment of Eva Smith could show the prejudice of the upper class against working-class women.
- Single paragraph outlines are a useful planning tool for analytical writing.
Keywords
Patriarchy - a system where men hold more power and dominate roles in society, family, or institutions
Hierarchy - a system in which people or things are ranked according to their importance or status
Societal norms - perceived informal, mostly unwritten, rules that define acceptable and appropriate actions
Marginalise - to treat someone or something as if they are not important
Prejudice - an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual often due to a characteristic e.g class, gender
Common misconception
Mrs Birling is a woman and therefore she automatically shares the same struggles as Eva Smith.
While both are women, Mrs Birling's high class gives her power to uphold societal norms, whereas Eva, from a lower class, is oppressed by them.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding gender and class through Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Understanding gender and class through Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the ‘An Inspector Calls’: societal expectations of gender and class unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley, Heinemann 2014 edition.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
outlines argument of each paragraph
in note form and includes: methods, main and supporting quotations
summarises argument in each paragraph with a focus on writer’s purpose