AIC - exploration of gender roles
- Created by: Englishguru
- Created on: 18-02-20 19:59
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- How does Priestley explore gender roles in AIC?
- Theme
- Masculinity is akin to selfishness
- overarching moral lesson Priestley teaching is to look out for one another
- critical of capatalism as it teaches selfishness and not selflessness
- overarching moral lesson Priestley teaching is to look out for one another
- men as the leader of household and society
- decision maker
- Men = Marriage as a way to SOCIALLY ADVANCE
- Women = marriage about love
- Men can do what they want in marriage
- Mr Birling excuses Gerald's affair when talking to Sheila as he is thinking about what Gerald could do for the Birlings
- women are like gems and trophies for men's pleasure
- superficial view of women
- men rational and women emotional creatures who are weak and fragile and have to be told to 'run along'
- Masculinity is akin to selfishness
- Character
- Mr Birling
- For him masculinity is defined by selfishness
- men have important work to do and need to look after themselves
- family is an after-thought as the phrase 'and his family' comes after the need for men to look after themself
- For him masculinity is defined by selfishness
- Mrs Birling
- Even though she is a woman, views women of proletariat as inferior to bourgeoisie
- women like children - gender used to reveal upper class snobbery
- Even though she is a woman, views women of proletariat as inferior to bourgeoisie
- Sheila
- Female gender = submissive and just wanting to please men
- her wishes are secondary to her husbands
- Despite passive nature - progressive view of women
- accepts responsibilty for her part in Eva's death
- women more than cheap labour
- Female gender = submissive and just wanting to please men
- Gerald
- women as a commodity to own and give pleasure
- shows consequences of lust
- Mr Birling
- Context
- Quotes
- "Girls of that class" Mrs Birling
- "run along"
- "Young, fresh and charming" Gerald abut Eva
- women something to amuse men
- adjective 'fresh' dehumanises women. like food when stale and old can be disgarded
- " A man has to make his own way...has to look after himself...and his family too" Mr Birling
- she was pretty and a good sport
- Men have important work to do
- " I speak as a hard-headed practical man of business
- Theme
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