Mrs Birling

Question 1

Mrs birling

Answer 1

Metaphorically represents capitalism, width and pride
Her distain for the lower class is evident all the way through
Husbands social superior

Question 2

‘Cold’

Answer 2

Adjective symbolises and foreshadows behaviour towards the lower classes. More specifically towards eva
Coupled with her age being ‘flirty’ we have a notion that the older generation are arguably narrow minded and reluctant to change

Question 3

Stage directions ‘husbands social superior’

Answer 3

Her position within society is made clear and outlines the pride she will later display when refusing eva smith the charity
Noun ‘superior’ further modifies her position and his belief that she is above others perhaps it even serves to highlight the growing gap capitalism has created

Question 4

‘Girls of that class’

Answer 4

Dehumanisation of eva smith and all girls of lower classes
‘Girls’ seems to be a huge generalisation with the implication that all poor or less fortunate girls will try to commit suicide
Lack of understanding apathy displayed linking back to ‘cold’
Determiner ‘that’ creates distain and disgust towards the lower classes

Question 5

‘A girls of that sort’

Answer 5

Use of the determiner ‘that’ reiterates distain and a huge disregard for the ‘girls’ foreshadowing the incident in the charity
Sense of detachment
Morally superior or so she feels, is priestly saying then that capitalism encourages moral corruption?

Question 6

‘I used my influence to have it refused’

Answer 6

Abstract noun ‘influence’ shows that Mrs birling abuses her position. Literally, the power of persons or things to be compelling force on

Question 7

‘Pink and intimate lighting’ stage directions

Answer 7

She doesn’t think there is any problem in her family at all and all problems exist outside, only seeing what she wants to see. Links to stage directions