How does Priestley present what life is like for a woman in An Inspector
Calls?
Intrinsically, throughout the play, Priestley presents gender stereotypes against women as
destructive to society. He utilises characters who are a clear example of what Priestley wants
society to be like.
Across the play, the character of Shiela is used to emphasise the changes that women must make
for a fair and equal society. Towards the start of the play, Shiela was a typical, upper-class girl
who has a disproportionate attachment to wealth and materialism. This is what one would expect
from an upper-class girl like her. She is shallow and materialistic when asking “Mummy, isn't it a
beauty?”.The use of the endearment “Mummy” makes her appear childish and naive.This
instantly influences the audience's portrayal of her because they view her as such a childish
person. Shiela's attachment to wealth is reiterated by Priestley when she receives the ring that
makes her “really feel engaged”.Shiela only acknowledged her engagement once she received a
symbol of wealth: a ring. This highlights her love for materialistic goods because instead of
appreciating all the other aspects of her marriage- like the happiness and love that her husband
will provide her with- she instantly fixates on the ring as a symbol of love. Priestley excoriates
wealth and materialism and the clear impact that it has on society. He presents Shiela in this way
to make an example out of her and highlight to the audience what characteristics they shouldn't
embody.
However, the progression of Shiela's character is again utilised by Priestley to show the audience
that a change in a woman's treatment in society is possible. Arguably, the ring is a motif of the
liberation and change of Shiela. This could be proved when, at the beginning, she is captivated
by the ring and seems attached to it. This is a stark contrast to when she “handed” Gerald the ring
back after his confession. This could be symbolic of her breaking free from the gender
stereotypes and asserting dominance in her relationship. She realises her worth and understands a
woman's role in society. Her opposition towards the expectations surrounding women is again
emphasised when she confronts Gerald in a “half playful manner”.This shows her reluctance to
confront her husband and clearly shows us who is more dominant in the relationship. However,
this attitude from Shiela changes when she hears Geralds confession and confronts him. She has
a look of “almost triumph” but “he looks crushed”.The contrast between Gerald's and Shiela's
emotions highlights a shift in power in the relationship. Shiela is now more dominant and
assertive. She has broken free from society's expectations for her to be demure and turn a blind
eye to her husband's infidelity, instead making him look “crushed”. The emotive language
heightens Geralds's emotions, clarifying the pivotal impact that Shiela's confrontation had on
him. Priestley uses Shiela's transformation to influence the audience into emulating her
dominance. By initiating Shiela's change, Priestley attempts to highlight to the audience the
Calls?
Intrinsically, throughout the play, Priestley presents gender stereotypes against women as
destructive to society. He utilises characters who are a clear example of what Priestley wants
society to be like.
Across the play, the character of Shiela is used to emphasise the changes that women must make
for a fair and equal society. Towards the start of the play, Shiela was a typical, upper-class girl
who has a disproportionate attachment to wealth and materialism. This is what one would expect
from an upper-class girl like her. She is shallow and materialistic when asking “Mummy, isn't it a
beauty?”.The use of the endearment “Mummy” makes her appear childish and naive.This
instantly influences the audience's portrayal of her because they view her as such a childish
person. Shiela's attachment to wealth is reiterated by Priestley when she receives the ring that
makes her “really feel engaged”.Shiela only acknowledged her engagement once she received a
symbol of wealth: a ring. This highlights her love for materialistic goods because instead of
appreciating all the other aspects of her marriage- like the happiness and love that her husband
will provide her with- she instantly fixates on the ring as a symbol of love. Priestley excoriates
wealth and materialism and the clear impact that it has on society. He presents Shiela in this way
to make an example out of her and highlight to the audience what characteristics they shouldn't
embody.
However, the progression of Shiela's character is again utilised by Priestley to show the audience
that a change in a woman's treatment in society is possible. Arguably, the ring is a motif of the
liberation and change of Shiela. This could be proved when, at the beginning, she is captivated
by the ring and seems attached to it. This is a stark contrast to when she “handed” Gerald the ring
back after his confession. This could be symbolic of her breaking free from the gender
stereotypes and asserting dominance in her relationship. She realises her worth and understands a
woman's role in society. Her opposition towards the expectations surrounding women is again
emphasised when she confronts Gerald in a “half playful manner”.This shows her reluctance to
confront her husband and clearly shows us who is more dominant in the relationship. However,
this attitude from Shiela changes when she hears Geralds confession and confronts him. She has
a look of “almost triumph” but “he looks crushed”.The contrast between Gerald's and Shiela's
emotions highlights a shift in power in the relationship. Shiela is now more dominant and
assertive. She has broken free from society's expectations for her to be demure and turn a blind
eye to her husband's infidelity, instead making him look “crushed”. The emotive language
heightens Geralds's emotions, clarifying the pivotal impact that Shiela's confrontation had on
him. Priestley uses Shiela's transformation to influence the audience into emulating her
dominance. By initiating Shiela's change, Priestley attempts to highlight to the audience the
