1912 Edwardian Men

In an inspector's call, we see the stereotypical role of 1912 Edwardian men portrayed and executed within different characters and different settings. An inspector calls is a morality play written by J. B. Prestly, highlight societal issues and concerns. These concerns were consistently seen within the Victorian era that were then carried on in the early beginnings of the Edwardian era.

Birling as a concept represents the patriarchal and misogynistic values many men held during this time period. He believes that due to his societal standpoint he is above the law as well as he is constantly in the right, never to be challenged on his opinions and beliefs. We see his arrogance being shown when he talks about Eva Smiths suicide, calling her “wretched”. Describing her suicide in this matter shows a lack of remorse for the …show more content…
In the beginning of the play Gerald is made to be a respectable young gentleman and an ideal son in law, despite his charm as the play progresses we learn of geralds actions he attempts to keep hidden behind the facade of perfection. When the inspector comes to question the Birling family, Gerald tries to excuse Sheila from the questioning “I think Miss Birling ought to be excused any more of this questioning. She’s nothing more to tell you. She’s had a long, exciting and tiring day - we were celebrating our engagement, you know - and now she’s obviously had about as much as she can stand,”. Gerald speaking to Sheila is symbolic of how women were constantly silenced by men and were robbed of their voices. Despite Sheila expressing her desire to stay for the questioning, she is dismissed by Gerald and her father saying its “too much for her” carrying on old stereotypes that women are overly emotional and can't handle the same things that men can. This shows a clear difference in worth and power between Victorian-Edwardian women and

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