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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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.These plot points from 'An Inspector Calls' focus on the character of Mrs Birling. Starting with the first, put them into chronological order.
Q2.Is the answer true or false? In Act 1 of 'An Inspector Calls', Mrs Birling is described as "superior" and "cold"
Q3.In 'An Inspector Calls', at the end of Act 3, Mrs Birling claims that everyone will be “amused”. Which answer is the best explanation of this?
Q4.In Act 2 of 'An Inspector Calls', how does Priestley use dramatic irony during the Inspector's interrogation of Mrs Birling?
Q5.In 'An Inspector Calls', which of the following does Mrs Birling suggest about the father of Eva’s child?
Q6.Is the answer true or false? In 'An Inspector Calls', Priestley uses the metaphor of a “wall” to symbolise how the Birlings use their power to help others.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word beginning with 'p' can be described as: a system where men hold more power and dominate roles in society, family, or institutions
Q2.In 'An Inspector Calls', what word does Mrs Birling call Eva Smith, showing her prejudice toward the lower class?
Q3.Which of the following terms describes a societal structure in which people or things are ranked according to their importance or status?
Q4.In 'An Inspector Calls', what is one difference between Mrs Birling and Eva Smith’s experiences of gender and class?
Q5.Match the parts of a single paragraph outline to the correct description.
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