Social class- flashcard recall
“Dessert plates and champagne glasses" ,"Decanter of port, cigar box and cigarettes"- stage
direction
-Props act as symbols of wealth and power- establishes ostentatious display of wealth
surrounding Birling family- portrays family as well-off, materialistic, and “solid” (i.e.
financially secure)
-Display of wealth is galling for a post-war audience- just experienced harsh rations and
rejected this selfish materialism
-Establishes antagonistic distance between audience and characters- amplifies effectiveness
of Priestley’s critique of materialism
"Would be quiet at that time of night"- Gerald
-Gerald admits to monopolising upon Eva’s desperation and autonomy- Gerald disgustingly
views Eva as an object for pleasure, rather than a person he actually wishes to help
-Gerald manipulatively set up a situation where Eva became dependent on him, so that he
could sexually exploit her. Gerald seems to dismiss this serious trespass as insignificant-
conveys how upper class do not have to consider consequences or responsibility due to
class disparity
-Priestley seeks to ridicule this sickening abuse of power- conveys how power should be in
the hands of an accountable socialist government, not the prejudiced upper class, who can
capitalize on this power and live a life of luxury at the expense of the proletariat’s wellbeing
"I hate these fat old tarts round the town"
-Eric likes Eva due to her “pretty” looks and youth- ruthless objectification of Eva- conveys
how Eric monopolises on her powerlessness for pleasure and “sport”
-Eric only cares about Eva’s looks- conveys voyeuristic outlook on women- suggests Eva is
powerless in warding off the predation of men
-Eric indirectly comments on the hypocrisy of the upper class- upper class keep women like
Eva employed, yet they judge these women the harshest- disgusting as upper-class
disregard women as objects for pleasure, rather than human beings
"A great deal of work in helping deserving cases"
-Extremely conceited view towards charity- Mrs Birling only cares for maintaining her image,
rather than helping people
“Dessert plates and champagne glasses" ,"Decanter of port, cigar box and cigarettes"- stage
direction
-Props act as symbols of wealth and power- establishes ostentatious display of wealth
surrounding Birling family- portrays family as well-off, materialistic, and “solid” (i.e.
financially secure)
-Display of wealth is galling for a post-war audience- just experienced harsh rations and
rejected this selfish materialism
-Establishes antagonistic distance between audience and characters- amplifies effectiveness
of Priestley’s critique of materialism
"Would be quiet at that time of night"- Gerald
-Gerald admits to monopolising upon Eva’s desperation and autonomy- Gerald disgustingly
views Eva as an object for pleasure, rather than a person he actually wishes to help
-Gerald manipulatively set up a situation where Eva became dependent on him, so that he
could sexually exploit her. Gerald seems to dismiss this serious trespass as insignificant-
conveys how upper class do not have to consider consequences or responsibility due to
class disparity
-Priestley seeks to ridicule this sickening abuse of power- conveys how power should be in
the hands of an accountable socialist government, not the prejudiced upper class, who can
capitalize on this power and live a life of luxury at the expense of the proletariat’s wellbeing
"I hate these fat old tarts round the town"
-Eric likes Eva due to her “pretty” looks and youth- ruthless objectification of Eva- conveys
how Eric monopolises on her powerlessness for pleasure and “sport”
-Eric only cares about Eva’s looks- conveys voyeuristic outlook on women- suggests Eva is
powerless in warding off the predation of men
-Eric indirectly comments on the hypocrisy of the upper class- upper class keep women like
Eva employed, yet they judge these women the harshest- disgusting as upper-class
disregard women as objects for pleasure, rather than human beings
"A great deal of work in helping deserving cases"
-Extremely conceited view towards charity- Mrs Birling only cares for maintaining her image,
rather than helping people
