Arthur Birling Flashcards
What words can be used to describe Mr Birling
arrogant, selfish, self-important, rich, controlling, confident, hypocritical
How is it shown that Mr Birling is the head of the family
he is used to everybody obeying and respecting him, not used to people challenging him (Inspector/Eva Smith and later Sheila/Eric), people listen to him and are aware that he has power. ‘We hard-headed practical business men must say something sometime. And we don’t guess – we’ve had experience – and we know.’
How is it shown that Mr Birling is a rich successful businessman
he is a self-made man (he is not aristocratic, but has acquired his wealth through his success as a ‘hard-headed practical man of business’ – he is upper-middle class, but always looking for opportunities to climb the social ladder - Sheila’s marriage to Gerald/marrying Mrs Birling ‘your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me’)
How is Mr Birling shown as not caring for the lower class
‘community and all that nonsense’. angering Priestley, a socialist, who felt the Mr Birlings of the world needed to change, he is very traditional in his views: ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own’ The Inspector challenges his views
What views does Mr Birling have
capitalist, rejecting social views - ‘as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive’
How is it shown that Mr Birling is very shallow
makes sure that people know that he has been active in local politics, and has been Lord Mayor. he tries to intimidate the inspector by telling him names - ‘How do you get on with our Chief Constable, Colonel Roberts?…Perhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine’. wants avoid scandal at any cost in order to protect his reputation. ‘I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.’ ‘I’d give thousands’
How is it shown that Mr Birling is a hypocrite
he says that ‘a man has to look after…his own’, but he is not a good father to Eric, his not supportive – Eric can’t turn to him ‘You’re not the sort of father a chap could go to’
How is it shown that Mr Birling thinks he is right and very sure of himself
‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’, ‘there isn’t a chance of war’ – the use of dramatic irony encourages the audience perceive Mr Birling as foolish, his views cannot be trusted
How is it shown that Mr Birling cannot take the responsibility
‘I can’t accept any responsibility’, ‘obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl’s suicide’ he doesn’t change, he wants things to return to the way they were, unable to understand Sheila’s and Eric’s insistence that there is something to be learnt, he is just relieved, thinking he has escaped a ‘public scandal’.
What are the key attributes of Mr Birling
head of the family, rich successful businessman, inconsiderate, capitalist, shallow, thinks he is right, hypocrite, represents the older generation, doesn’t believe his actions have coonsequences
Mr Birling’s relationship with Mrs Birling
not close – probably married her as she was his ‘social superior’
Mr Birling’s relationship with Sheila
treats her like a child, feels she needs protecting from the truth
Mr Birling’s relationship with Eric
not close, Eric can’t turn to him when it matters
Mr Birling’s relationship with the inspector
tries to intimidate him
Mr Birling’s relationship with Eva Smith
abused his power over her, threatened by the fact that she had ‘a lot to say – far too much – ‘, so he used his power to get rid of her, heartless/uncaring
