In J.B. Priestley’s play An Inspector Calls, the role of women is a central theme, used to explore how society treats women, especially those from lower social classes. Priestley portrays the experiences of women through

the character of Eva Smith, as well as the attitudes of the Birling family and Gerald Croft, representing the broader societal treatment of women during the early 20th century. By showing how women like Eva are mistreated and exploited, Priestley presents a powerful critique of inequality and the lack of social responsibility, calling for change.

One of the main ways Priestley shows what life is like for women is through the character of Eva Smith, who symbolizes many working-class women of the time. Eva works in Mr. Birling’s factory, where she and the other women are paid very low wages and treated poorly. Despite her hard work, Eva is

not valued as a person; instead, she is seen as “cheap labor.” This reflects the harsh realities faced by many women who were trapped in low-paying jobs with little hope of improving their situation. Eva’s decision to go on strike for better wages, which leads to her being fired, highlights how women had very little power and were often punished for trying to stand up for themselves.

Eva’s life becomes even harder after she loses her job at Birling’s factory. She finds work at a clothing store, but she is fired again, this time because Sheila Birling, out of jealousy, complains about her. Sheila’s actions reflect how women, even those of higher status, can sometimes harm each other

rather than support one another. Sheila’s later regret and understanding of her mistake serve as a contrast to the lack of responsibility shown by others in the play, but it also shows that even privileged women like her can contribute to the suffering of those less fortunate.

The treatment of women is further explored through the character of Mrs. Birling. She represents the upper-class attitudes of the time, believing that women from lower classes are less deserving of respect or help. When Eva

seeks help from Mrs. Birling’s charity organization, she is turned away because Mrs. Birling judges her harshly for lying about her name and for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Mrs. Birling’s lack of empathy for Eva reflects how women from higher social classes often looked down on poorer women, showing little understanding of their struggles.

Priestley also highlights how women were often exploited by men in positions of power. This is shown through the characters of Gerald Croft and Eric Birling. Gerald, despite his seemingly kind gesture of helping Eva, ultimately uses her as his mistress and abandons her when it becomes

inconvenient. Eva is left once again without support, used and discarded by a man who had the power to help her. This highlights how even well-intentioned actions can end up being selfish and harmful when there is no genuine care or responsibility for the person involved.

Eric’s treatment of Eva further demonstrates the exploitation women faced. He meets her at a bar, takes advantage of her vulnerability, and gets her

pregnant. Eric’s behavior is careless and irresponsible, showing how women like Eva were often left to deal with the consequences of men’s actions. When Eva refuses to accept stolen money from Eric, it shows her strength and integrity, but it also highlights how little help and support she has in her difficult situation.

Through these examples, Priestley paints a grim picture of life for women in early 20th-century society. They are undervalued, exploited, and left to suffer with little or no support. Whether it is through low wages, mistreatment by other women, or exploitation by men, Priestley shows how society fails women like Eva Smith at every turn.

At the same time, Priestley also presents women as capable of change and growth. Sheila, for example, is one of the few characters who realizes her mistakes and learns from them. By the end of the play, Sheila has

undergone a transformation, showing remorse for her actions and a desire to be more responsible in the future. This change in Sheila represents Priestley’s hope for a better society, where people, especially women, are treated with respect and fairness.

Priestley uses the character of Inspector Goole to deliver his message about social responsibility and the need for equality. The Inspector tells the Birling family that Eva Smith is not an isolated case: “There are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us.” This statement

suggests that the mistreatment of women like Eva is a widespread problem that needs to be addressed. The Inspector’s message is clear: society must change, and people must take responsibility for each other, especially for those who are vulnerable, like women in lower-class positions.

The play was written in 1945, but it is set in 1912, a time when women’s rights were very limited. Priestley chose this time period to remind the

audience of how far society had come by 1945, but also to warn that there was still much work to be done. By showing the mistreatment of women and the lack of responsibility shown by characters like Mr. and Mrs. Birling, Priestley criticizes the attitudes of the past and calls for a future where women are treated with more respect and equality.

In conclusion, Priestley presents life for women in An Inspector Calls as difficult and full of challenges, especially for those from lower social classes. Through the character of Eva Smith, he shows how women were often exploited and mistreated by both men and women, reflecting the lack of social responsibility and equality in society. However, Priestley also

offers hope for change, as seen in Sheila’s character development and the Inspector’s powerful message. Ultimately, the play encourages the audience to reflect on how they treat others, particularly women, and to take responsibility for creating a more just and equal society.