Mr. Birling

Question 1

5 words to describe him?

Answer 1

1) Exploitative
2) Prejudice
3) Unsympathetic
4) Insensitive
5) Selfish

Question 2

What are his major points in the play?

Answer 2

His major points in the play are when he talks about Gerald and Shelia’s engagement, firing Eva Smith and when they figure out that the inspector wasn’t a inspector but still chooses to not accept the blame

Question 3

What is his significance?

Answer 3

He shows the capitalist society and the difference between the classes and how the upper or middle classes care only for themselves and their family

Question 4

What does he represent?

Answer 4

He represents the views of the upper classes, older generation and the capitalist society that the play was set in (1912)

Question 5

What are his beliefs?

Answer 5

he believes in the class system, capitalism and that anyone above him is superior while everyone below him is inferior

Question 6

How do the stage directions describe him?

Answer 6

A heavy - looking, rather portentous man in his fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech” - portrays how the older generation doesn’t care for people lower classed than them.

Question 7

5 significant quotes from Mr Birling

Answer 7

1. “there’s a fair chance that i might find my way into the next honours list “
2. “you’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable. And to that I say fiddlesticks.”
3. “We may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together. “
4. “Still, I can’t accept any responsibility.”
5. “Well, Inspector, I don’t see that it’s any concern of yours how I choose to run my business.”