Summary Characterisation of women in An Inspector calls

Characterisation of women


Mrs Birling -

Female submission -

● Although Mrs Birling is of a higher class than Mr Birling, she is submissive
to him 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 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 -

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.




Sheila's engagement -

● At the start of the play, Sheila only feels properly engaged to Gerald when
he gives her the ring.
● decorative for him, bear his children, and make him look good.