Analysis of Quotes - Mr Birling Flashcards
(8 cards)
Analysis of : ‘Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
Dramatic irony
Highlights Priestley’s critique of arrogance and ignorance of the upper class
Analysis of ‘I’m talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business’
Shown to behave as the patriarch of the family, fulfilling society’s expectations that he would provide for his family.
Alliteration of ‘hard-headed’ has a cold tone, mimicking his harsh attitude towards his worker.
Adjective ‘hard’ shows he has no compassion and can not change, and his emphasis on ‘headed’ shows how he does not view things with his heart and has little empathy.
Analysis of ‘as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense.’
Dismisses idea of community
Simile refers to ‘bees’, these insects have connotations of working hard together with almost no hierarchy apart from a single queen bee. A ‘hive’ is an enclosed community in which all must take responsibility.
Dismissive tone to show that he does not value socialism and feels threatened by it. The abstract noun ‘nonsense’ shows that he regards it as illogical.
Analysis of ‘Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down.’
Highlights capitalist mindset, lack of social responsibility and his belief in profit over people.
Exposes flaws of a system that justifies the exploitation of workers
‘She had to go’
Euphemistic language shows disconnection
Show how easily the upper class can dismiss the lives of the working class
Reinforces the play’s core message about social responsibility
‘Perhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine, and that I see him fairly frequently.
Deploys nepotism which reveals Birling’s reliance on social connections to maintain control and avoid accountability.
Priestley critiques sociétariats where the upper class use their status to escape justice
Reinforces the play’s call for moral integrity over privilege.
‘All right. Go on.’
Reluctant submission to the Inspector’s control.
Highlights a shift in power from the arrogant capitalist to the voice of social justice
‘No look at the pair of them - the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke-‘
Dismisses his children and their new socialist view of world to reassert authority once Inspector has left.
Patronising tone through ‘The pair of them’ makes Eric and Sheila sound like naughty children.
Audience are aware of irony that Birling is wrong and this prepares audience for final telephone call.
Noun ‘joke’ infuriates the audience as it seems Mr Birling has learnt nothing and regards the evening’s events as insignificant and laughable.
