Gender roles/expectations

Mr Birling - expectations of a men - toxic masculinity

a hard-headed, practical man of business (how he continually describes himself) a1

Mr Birling - expectations of a men - toxic masculinity

a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own a1 t this point in the play, Birling is giving a pompous, self-important speech to his family and Gerald, promoting individualism and patriarchal responsibility as if they are universal truths.

Impacts of toxic masculinity

During a heated confrontation with his father, Mr. Birling, in Act 3. The context is that Eric has just confessed to stealing money and getting Eva Smith pregnant. you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble a3

Mrs Birling - submissive, oppressive expectations of women

(to sheila, says men:) spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just as I had. This is said shortly after Gerald’s questionable summer absence is revealed, and Sheila begins to question his loyalty.

Mrs Birling - submissive, oppressive expectations of women

"She was giving herself ridiculous airs. She was claiming fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position." — Act Two This is during her justification for rejecting Eva Smith’s appeal to the charity

True femininity/ what a woman should uphold + how younger generation will change these oppressive societal expectations - Sheila Birling

But these girls aren’t cheap labour. They’re people! (when inspector says her father uses these young women as cheap labour) - a1

True femininity/ what a woman should uphold + how younger generation will change these oppressive societal expectations - Sheila Birling

In An Inspector Calls, Sheila's pivotal act of returning the engagement ring to Gerald, accompanied by the line, "Gerald, I think you'd better take this with you," a1