Characters

Question 1

How can Mr Birling be described?

Answer 1

• head of the Birling family
• is an ARCHETYPAL CAPITALIST businessman
• COMPLACENT = content with his current status and lacks desire for change or self-reflection.
• PATRIARCHAL = holds traditional views about gender roles and family dynamics.

Question 2

How can Mrs Birling be described?

Answer 2

• SOCIAL SUPERIOR of Mr Birling
• upper class
• SOCIALLY PROMINENT wife
• CONDESCENDING = speaks with a tone of superiority.
• HYPOCRITICAL = claims to do charitable work but her actions speak otherwise.

Question 3

How can Sheila be described?

Answer 3

• IMPRESSIONABLE
• SOCIALLY AWARE younger generation.
• FEMINIST movement.
• TRANSFORMATIVE = her character undergoes a dramatic shift.
• INSIGHTFUL = ability to look beyond superficial appearances and she the interconnectedness of social issues.

Question 4

How can Eric be described?

Answer 4

• IMPRESSIONAL
• SOCIALLY AWARE younger generation
• consequences of TOXIC MASCULINE CULTURE.
• UNSETTLED = reflects his inner turmoil and unease over the Inspector’s revelation of Eva Smith.
• INTROSPECTIVE = he has a tendency to self-reflect and analyse himself.

Question 5

How can Gerald be described?

Answer 5

• SOCIALLY SUPERIOR to the Birlings
• represents PRIVILEDGE and the DOMINANCE of upper classes in the PATRIARCHY.
• DECEPTIVE = he is reluctant to highlight the consequences of his actions, this shows a DEGREE OF DISHONESTY.
• REPENTENT = he wasn’t initially remorseful but he acknowledges Eva’s suffering which SHOWS CHANGE.

Question 6

How can the Inspector be described?

Answer 6

• represents SOCIALISM.
• SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
• ideal JUSTICE SYSTEM.
• RELENTLESS + CALCULATING =
  forces the family to confront their actions and the consequences.
• PURPOSEFUL = he acts with a clear objecting mind.
• UNSETTLING = his cold, detached demeanour creates unease for the Birlings.

Question 7

How can Eva Smith be described?

Answer 7

• NEGLECTED lower class
• MISTREATED by the Birlings.
• EMBLEMATIC = symbol of many working class people who were EXPLOITED.
• MARGINALIZED = excluded from the mainstream and she had a lack of opportunities because of her social position.