Mr B

Question 1

‘i’m talking as a hard headed, practical man of business’

Answer 1

• Establishes Mr Birling’s capitalist ideology
• Alliteration of ‘h’ emphasise his stubbornness and self-assurance
• Mr birling is proud of his business acumen and dismisses emotional or social concerns
  Priestley positions Mr Birling as a symbol of capitalist greed

Question 2

‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’

Answer 2

• priestley employs dramatic irony here to undermine Birling’s authority, repetition amplifies his ignorance
• the sinking becomes a metaphor for the collapse of the social and economic systems Birling represents

Question 3

‘ the germans don’t want war”

Answer 3

• Priestley’s use of dramatic irony here reflects Birling’s shortsightedness and self-interest, aligning him with a myopic pre-war elite.

Question 4

“A man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family too.”

Answer 4

The phrasing elevates the individual (“his own way”) over the collective, revealing Birling’s isolationist worldview. The mention of “his family too” is almost an afterthought, highlighting his focus on self-preservation rather than genuine care.

Question 5

“If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.”

Answer 5

The hyperbolic phrasing of “asking for the earth” accentuates Birling’s disdain for the working class, portraying them as insatiable and unreasonable. The authoritarian tone of “come down sharply” reflects his oppressive mindset. Priestley critiques the exploitation perpetuated by figures like Birling

Question 6

“I was quite justified.”

Answer 6

The defensive tone of this short sentence conveys Birling’s unrepentant attitude and inability to engage with the moral implications of his actions.

The conflict between moral accountability and capitalist pragmatism is central here, with Birling embodying the ethical failures of his class.

Question 7

“The famous younger generation who know it all.”

Answer 7

The phrase “know it all” reflects Birling’s inability to engage with progressive ideas, dismissing them as naive. His tone reveals his insecurity as his authority is challenged. Priestley uses this generational divide to symbolize the broader societal shift from entrenched capitalism to a more egalitarian ethos.

Question 8

“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.”

Answer 8

The panicked immediacy of this line, conveyed through the use of “as soon as I can,” reflects Birling’s preoccupation with self-preservation over justice. moral responsibility is secondary to personal gain.