Key Themes - Social Class And Equality Flashcards
Why do the characters treat Eva the way they do?
She is lower class
They are upper class
How did the upper classes treat lower classes?
Like they are disposable and unimportant.
Like they are not worthy of their time and thought.
How does Priestly present Sheila as an upper class women?
Spoilt and materialistic.
She buys clothes, focuses on appearance and she uses her class to get Eva fired.
How does Priestly present Eric as an upper class man?
He is presented as irresponsible and lazy.
He drinks and games and lives off his fathers money.
He uses his class to force himself onto Eva.
How does Priestly present Mr Birling as an upper class business man?
He is presented as entitled and arrogant.
He cares about money and status, and is happy when Sheila is getting married to someone in a higher class.
How does Priestly present Gerald as an upper class man?
He is presented as selfish and arrogant.
He gets rid of Eva when he is done with her, feels like him and Sheila should get married after he had an affair. He doesn’t change in the end, cares about reputation.
How does Priestly present Mrs Birling as an upper class women?
She is presented as egotistical and selfish.
She on,y works for a charity because it makes her look good. Turns away Eva because she used her name.
How does Priestly show how many upper class families were superficial and only cared about reputation?
At the beginning of the play they seem like the perfect family but as the play goes on cracks start appearing and the family starts fighting. For example Eric being revealed as a drunkard.
How does Priestly present the class divide through Sheila and Gerald?
Mr Birling is happy about the engagement only because Gerald is of higher class.
Geralds mother doesn’t approve of their engagement because Sheila is in a lower class.
How does Preistly present the divide between Mrs and Mr Birling?
Mrs Birling is of higher class, however Mr Birling has all the power and control because he is a man.
