Arthur Birling Flashcards
Which of these facts about Arthur isn’t true?
A. He was an alderman
B. He used to be a police
officer
C. He used to be Lord
Mayor
D. He is on the Bench
B. Arthur wasn’t a police officer.
Why is Arthur happy that his daughter is marrying Gerald Croft?
Gerald Croft’s father owns a rival company, so Arthur hopes Sheila’s marriage may lead to a closer relationship with Mr Croft’s Company and more profits for Birling and Company. The Crofts are also the Birling’s social superiors, so the marriage may raise their social status.
Why does Arthur want to avoid a “scandal”?
He believes a public scandal will prevent him from getting a knighthood.
How does Arthur try to make himself seem more important? Give examples in your answer.
He frequently mentions that he used to be Lord Mayor and tries to impress Gerald by telling him he might be getting a knighthood. He also talks about his connections with important people, such as telling the Inspector that he plays golf with the Chief Constable.
How does Arthur’s toast to Sheila and Gerald in Act One make him appear foolish? Give examples in your answer.
- Arthur refers to things that
the audience knows are
wrong. His certainty when
he says that “there isn’t a
chance of war” makes
them appear foolish as the
audience knows that the
first world war will begin
two years later in 1914. - This is reinforced by his
reference to the
“unsinkable” Titanic, which
famously sank on it’s
maiden voyage.
What advice does Arthur give to Eric and Gerald after Sheila and Sybil leave the room in act 1?
He tells them they don’t need to care about helping other people, only themselves and their families — he says a man should “look after himself and his own”.
True or false? Arthur feels guilty for not increasing his workers’ wages.
False. Arthur shows no remorse, claiming it’s his “duty to keep labour costs down”.
What does Arthur mean when he says he would give “thousands” in Act Three?
He may be trying to bribe the Inspector to cover up the scandal.
How does Arthur react to the Inspector’s attempts to control the conversation and events throughout the play? Give examples to support your answer.
Arthur is irritated by the Inspector’s attempts to control the events — this is shown by the way he talks to him with “a touch of impatience”. His annoyance is also shown where he tries to take back control by threatening to “report” the Inspector and by questioning Eric himself in Act Three.
Why do you think Arthur is so eager to believe the inspector’s visit is a hoax?
- He thinks that if the
Inspector isn’t a real police
officer then he doesn’t
have to take responsibility
for his actions towards
Eva / Daisy. - If the Inspector’s visit is just
a hoax, he might be able to
avoid a scandal and still
receive a knighthood.
