Character Analysis: Mr. Birling

Question 1

Analyse:

“ lower costs and higher prices”

Answer 1

use of opposites in his rhetoric exposes the exploitation of his labour practices.

Question 2

Analyse:

‘silly little war scares’

Answer 2

dismissive adjectives creates dramatic irony

Question 3

Analyse:

“Man has to mind his own business and look after himself,”

Answer 3

sweeping statement Reflects his stubbornness and his capitalist views.

Question 4

Analyse:

“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable,”

Answer 4

Dramatic irony is presented here since the titanic sinked. The “titanic” can be a metaphor symbolising the privileged family as a family that is “untouchable,” due to their high status.

Question 5

Analyse:

“ hard headed, practical man of business”

Answer 5

adjectives connote emotional detachment.

Question 6

Analyse:

“A man has to make his own way.”

Answer 6

This idiomatic phrase demonstrates his extreme selfishness, again a sweeping statement.

Question 7

Analyse:

“ bewildered and perturbed glances”

Answer 7

stage directions demonstrate the extent to which the inspector’s perspective of empathy is completely new to him

Question 8

Analyse:

“ she’d had a lot to say-far too much-so she had to go”

Answer 8

suppression of authentic voice of others. The intensifier coupled with the dash demonstrates his determination to uphold the system