Mr Birling Flashcards
Who is Mr.Birling
Mr.Birling is the father of sheila and eric, hes a wealthy businessman who owns a factory in brumley called birling and company
What’s Mr.Birling’s first priority with money
He believes that his responsibilities with his money should be to his business and his family
Mr.Birlings aim is what, whose expense is it to?
In business, his aim is to make profit, and if this is at the expense of his workers, so be it
How does Mr.Birling capitalise his profits
he exploits his workers for profit
Mr.Birling is Quite opinionated, explain his view of the titanic and the wars
he is misguided and wrong with his views on the world and priestley invites the audience to laugh at his views when he states “titanic.. unsinkable absolutely unsinkable” and ‘i say there is no chance of war
why is Mr.Birling viewed as selfish
He has gained a public office as a mayor and alderman but he still does not fell a responsibility as a higher member of society to give back to the community
Priestley’s description of Mr.Birling
A heavy rather portentous man in his mid fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speeches
she had a lot to say -
far too much. she had to go
Mr. Birling refuses to agree with the inspector what is the definition of the moral he abides by.
Capitalism - taking money from the workers for cheap labour making more profit for him.
How does priestley use dramatic irony for his benefit against mr birling
To make mr birling an unlikeable character, in his speech he mocks the wars and the titanic and the great depression. the play was written in 1945 so they would not like him as they could’ve lost family in that war or to the titanic
Priestley uses mr birling as a symbol in the play. what does he represent
The selfishness and arrogance of capitalists in edwardian society
What was priestley’s aim towards the viewers attitude with Mr Birling
To see him as a fool. By rejecting and reflecting on mr birling’s actions Priestley’s audience would lead a more responsible, socialist lifestyle
Quote - “The titanic sails next week… -
unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
how does Mr birling treat Eric
He is quite neglected and eric has been rejected by his father as much as he has he is able to mouth back off to his father
How does mr birling treat Sheila
like a child irresponsible and unworthy of a say in anything
