Mr Birling Flashcards
(88 cards)
1
Q
A
He only cares about himself + his family
AO1
Mr Birling’s comments at the start of the play about Sheila’s wedding and society
Mr Birling’s reactions to the Inspector’s questioning about Eva Smith
revelations about Mr Birling’s treatment of his workforce
Mr Birling’s behaviour when the Inspector has left
AO2
presentation of Mr Birling through his pompous manner of speech
developing contrast of Mr Birling with other characters
structural contrast before and after arrival of the Inspector
stage directions regarding Mr Birling
AO3
ideas about boss-worker relationships in a capitalist society
ideas about social class
the Inspector’s ideas about how society could be differently organised
ideas about the importance of family.
2
Q
A
how is Mr Birling shown to have treated Eva Smith and how he speaks to the Inspector?
Comments about how society works
Comments about eva’s activism
How is he like when he speaks about worker?
Presentation of his comments about Eva (how does it come across, effects of this)
Throughout the play, Priestley presents Mr Birling as a clear representation of the patriarchal upper class. This reflects a lack of social responsibility and justice in his character, and demonstrates Priestley’s disdain for Capitalist beliefs and society
Mr Birling represents the greed, self-importance and stupidity of capitalism. It is symbolic that his first line – the opening line of the play – is an order to his servant regarding the serving of port
Priestley uses Mr Birling as a symbol to represent the selfishness and arrogance of capitalists in Edwardian society. Priestley wanted his audience to dislike Mr Birling and to see him as a fool. By rejecting the attitudes held by Mr Birling, Priestley’s audience would lead a more responsible, socialist life
Mr Birling is a business man whose main concern is making money. This is what is most important to him and he comes across as being greedy. “we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.”
3
Q
A
Argument that Mr Birling does briefly change throughout the play
He goes from confident to desperate to confident, then uncertain at the end
‘[impatiently] Yes, yes.’ ‘Just keep quiet Eric’ at the beginning
Inspector undermines his authority continuously. ‘I’d give thousands, yes, thousands’
4
Q
A
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”
Sums up capitalism- self gain/interest
Business double meaning. Commercial, occupational business vs personal business.
Irony: all their personal business gets exposed + they interfere with Eva Smith’s life/business
Order of importance reflects cruel capitalist beliefs that business and you come before everything else. Direct contrast to Inspector.
A society where everyone acts in their own interests is flawed, just like how the Birling family are flawed (they acted in their own interests with Eva)
Imperative ‘has to’ shows his confidence in the belief and makes him seem close-minded; he won’t consider any alternatives (he dismisses Eric’s well-reasoned point on higher wages/prices)
‘his own’ possessive pronoun. ‘man’ not person. Shows his patriarchal views
‘himself’ = class, reputation, money, business
5
Q
A
“If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
Flawed ideology
Idea that we aren’t responsible for everyone
Lack of responsibility -> treat people badly (as objects)
It did become ‘awkward’ later on in the play- their lives/relationships are badly affected
‘awkward’ is an understatement- shows how Birling doesn’t understand the effects of capitalism on wider society
‘wouldn’t it?’ at the end hints at uncertainty- he needs validation to prove his point. Makes it seem less strong because he needs others to back it up. Implies that this argument isn’t strong
6
Q
A
“Clothes mean something quite different to a woman.”
Shows how men/society views women
Women judged on surface level
Objectifying women
Puts a condition on respect
Arrogant, acts like he knows everything
At the end of the play, he is unchanged – and as snobbish, arrogant and unlikeable as at the start.
7
Q
‘for lower costs and higher prices’ - birling
A
- considers sheila’s and gerald’s marriage as a business deal which will lead to a large profit for himself
8
Q
‘hard-headed business man’ - birling
A
- commonly repeats this phrase highlighting birling’s adoration for himself and his business
9
Q
‘you’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable. and to that i say- fiddlesticks!’ - birling
A
- dramatic irony, uses uncaring lexical choice of ‘fiddlesticks’ which is insensitive to the post war audience
10
Q
‘the titanic {…} unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’ - birling
A
- dramatic irony, describing the titanic which represents capitalism accomplishment (indicates birling’s foolish capitalist optimism as the ship sinks a week later), or the birling family thinking they’re untouchable
11
Q
‘there’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere’ - birling
A
- dramatic irony, use of polysyndeton heightens audience’s anger as it continuously mentions things that did not happen, creating hatred for birling + is open to ridicule as he represents a typical brainless capitalist
12
Q
‘you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive’ - birling
A
- doesn’t think different classes should mix, the simile reduces socialist ideology to animalistic tendencies suggesting birling’s hate + disgust for socialism
13
Q
‘community and all that nonsense… a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own-‘ - birling
A
- dramatic device, birling summons the inspector with his anti-community + capitalist message paired with the use of the doorbell which disrupts birling’s ideology
14
Q
‘i was an alderman for years- and lord mayor two years ago- and i’m still on the bench- so i know the brumley officers pretty well’ - birling
A
- wants to intimidate the inspector with his power and status and indicate his superiority, but birling’s fragmented speech (interrupted with hyphens) contrasts this and displays his slight fear + worry. also highlights that those in power wield their influence to escape civic responsibility
15
Q
‘i can’t accept any responsibility. if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d have anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’ - birling
A
- priestley wants to correct this exact idea and using birling (figure of ridicule) makes critique more effective
16
Q
‘well it’s my duty to keep labour costs down’ - birling
A
- birling’s only concern is money + has not an ounce of respect for his workers, typical capitalist
17
Q
‘if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth’ - birling
A
- referring to eva, dehumanising his workers by grouping them all together + demonstrates the prejudice between upper + lower class with the use of his abrupt + dismissive language, ‘these people’
18
Q
‘nothing to do with you, sheila. run along’ - birling
A
- belittling + infantilising sheila which displays the patriarchal nature; the imperative verb + short, snappy syntax reinforces the idea that birling is in control
19
Q
‘[angrily] don’t talk to me like that. your trouble is- you’ve been spoilt-‘ - birling
A
- mad because eric disobeyed him, disregards the fact that he’s lost any sort of relationship with his son, blaming eric for something he caused, fragmented speech suggesting that birling is shocked + taken aback at eric’s defiance
20
Q
‘[furious, intervening] why, you hysterical young fool- get back- or i’ll-‘ - birling
A
- birling begins to threaten his own son because he can’t control the situation so has to resort to violence
21
Q
‘but i care. i was almost certain for a knighthood in the next honours list’ - Birling
A
- birling completely overlooks the inspector’s speech and cares about the complete wrong thing,
- highlights the juxtaposition between inspector goole + birling + what they value, they are antithetic to each other. it also displays that birling (+mrs birling) still have not changed at all
22
Q
‘now look at the pair of them, the famous younger generation who know it all. and they can’t even take a joke-‘ - Mr Birling
A
- Highlights the separation between the young + older generation, birling is completely back to his old self + prepared to go on another long speech/rant, similar to the beginning of the play, but he is interrupted with the use of a dramatic device (telephone ring) which again disrupts his foolish ideology + also catches the audience’s attention for the last time
23
Q
“provincial (unsophisticated) in this speech” - Mr Birling, act 1
A
- The adjective “provincial” is used to show the low-class origins of Mr Birling.
- He has to compensate for his lower- class accent with material possessions
24
Q
“You ought to like this port, Gerald It’s exactly the same port your father gets” - Mr Birling, act 1
A
- The verb “ought” reveals Mr Birling’s insecurities regarding social status; he is hesitant to command Gerald (who is of a higher class) like he would command Eric.
25
"There's a fair chance that I may find myself into the next honours list." - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr Birling's insecurity is revealed by his feeling of inadequacy due to his lower social status, compared to the Crofts.
* Therefore, he feels the need to compensate with boasts of a potential knighthood.
* Gerald seems to feel uncomfortable by Birling alleging his mother looks down on the Birlings and their social status but Birling seems to try and comfort him by pointing to her position in the social hiearchy which is higher than Birlings and she comes from a traditionally rich landowning family as opposed to the newly rich self made businessman Mr Birling.
* However Birling seems to imply that this gap in social status can be lessened or even removed due to him possibly receiving a knighthood.
* As mentioned before Birling seems to have an inferiority complex and a continuous need to prove himself equal to those richer than him and from more elite families.
26
"...we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices." - Mr Birling , act 1
* It is clear here that Mr Birling is driven by money, he is a capitalist.
* The fact that he sees his daughter's engagement as a chance to push for 'lower costs and higher prices' shows just how greedy he is.
* He does not consider the impact 'higher prices' might have on anyone else, he just wants more money.
* This reveals the true motive behind Sheilas marriage- money. shows the rather business-minded approach to life that Mr Birling has and at a time like this, celebrating an engagement, when the tone should be a more emotional sentimental one.
* Mr Birling devoid of such sentimentality instead uses words like 'costs' and 'prices', which are more appropriate for a board meeting rather than a celebratory family get together.
* This ties in with his general way of looking at things through the prism of money and numbers including his indifference to the human suffering of his workers and instead focusing on the profits they can generate him.
27
"But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive- community and all that nonsense" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The simile "like bees in a hive" is an attempt by Mr Birling to trivialise the concept of socialism.
* By 'cranks' it should be obvious that Birling is referring to writers with left wing views such as George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells whom he mentioned by name earlier.
* However with Birling's credibility completely discreted with his 'Titanic' and no war will happen comments Priestley might be telling the audience to hold the completely opposite opinion and in fact respect these writers.
* These writers are promoting the view that society is one entity whereas Birling is preaching individualism and that everyone should look after themselves or their families.
* However as we find out later on in the play no man is immune from what happens in wider society, Birling himself is impacted by Eva's poverty through her affair with Eric who steals money from his father and Eva having Birling's grandchild in her womb during pregnancy.
28
"A man has to mind his own business and look after himself" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Summarises Mr Birlings capitalist views, relates to his selfishness and arrogance. Shortly after this is said the door bell rings as the Inspector has come to change the Birling family's views.
29
"It's my duty to keep labour costs down" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Priestley uses the noun "duty" to emphasise Mr Birlings dedication to capitalism and profit.
* Through Birling, Priestley is showing the money-obsessed nature of capitalism which sees things through numbers and fingers and not the emotional aspect of human existence.
* It's Birling's 'duty' to keep labour costs low but not to ensure happy lives for his workers who are there merely to make money for him and disposable when not required almost like objects.
* This is Priestley critiquing employer-worker relations under capitalism.
30
"If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth." - Mr Birling, act 1
* The hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) of "asking for the earth" is an attempt by Mr Birling to explain his rejection of Eva Smith's pay rise.
* However, the absurdity of people "asking for the earth" reflects the absurdity of Mr Birling's refusal to pay a decent wage.
* This shows Birlings capitalist views. He believes he is doing the right thing and that its his responsibility to punish them, keeping control.
* Priestley wanted the audience to realise that this is the wrong attitude to have, we should be looking after the working class instead.
31
'Probably a socialist or some sort of crank' - Mr Birling, act 3
* Mr. Birling thinks that anyone that isn't a capitalist is wrong
* The noun "crank" is an attempt by Mr Birling to condemn socialism, however, Priestley' s use of dramatic irony causes the audience to oppose Mr Birlings views and therefore sympathise with socialists
32
"Why, you hysterical young fool - get back - or I'll -" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Here Priestley uses irony to further create a dislikeable perception of Mr Birling, who insults and threatens violence towards his own child.
* Therefore, it is clear that it is in fact Mr Birling who is "hysterical". Mr Birling implies here that Eric is a 'fool' because he is young. Ironically, it is the older Arthur who nearly resorts to physical violence.
33
"Now look at the pair of them- the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can't even take a joke." - Mr Birling , act 3
* The use of the noun "joke" is significant as it is ironic. It occurs just before the phone rings and a 'real' inspector calls on the telephone.
* Also, trivialising Eva Smith's suffering as a "joke" emphasises the static character of Mr Birling.
* Mr Birling after he realises that Inspector was fake. Sheila respects his teachings
34
"As it happened more than eighteen months ago - nearly two years ago - obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl's suicide." - Mr Birling, act 1
* The adverb "obviously" is used to emphasise Mr Birling's arrogance and disregard for his own social responsibility. Priestley does this to continue Mr Birling's unlikable image.
35
"I can't accept any responsibility" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr. Birling refuses to take any blame for what has happened.
* The use of the adverb "any" reveals Mr Birlings complete lack of morality, as he believes sacking Eva Smith had no impact on her life, which drove her to suicide.
* This is precisely the point that Priestley is trying to make. * That we have to be conscious of our actions and the impact it has on others.
* Businessmen need to understand that their workers are not merely useful profit-generating machines but human beings who experience pain and suffering.
* Priestley is urging a more socialist outlook to society where we all see each other as part of one greater whole and try to help each other.
36
"If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Birling refusing to take any responsibility for the consequences of sacking Eva Smith.
* Preistleys use of the adjective "awkward", coupled with Mr Birling's self- absorbed character reveals that an increased sense of responsibility for everyone would really only be "awkward" for him.
* This awareness extends to the class and ideology that he represents: capitalist middle- class
37
'I've got to cover this up as soon as I can' - Mr Birling, act 3
* Eric's interrogated - Mr. Birling - he has a reputation to maintain and he doesn't wasn't this news to escape as it would damage his chances of gaining a knighthood.
* Priestley uses this sense of urgency as Mr Birling's reaction to his involvement in Eva Smith's suicide shows how he is focused solely on the well-being of his own social status, rather than the death of Eva and how his actions contributed to it.
38
'There's every excuse for what your mother and I did' - Mr Birling, act 3
* Mr. Birling defends him and his wife's actions
* This separates the old generation from Eric and Sheila in the younger generation.
* This diversion of blame onto his children reveals the selfish core of Mr Birling and inability to develop a sense of social responsibility
39
"(jovially) But the whole thing's different now" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Priestley uses the stage direction "(jovially)" to emphasise Mr Birling's indifference to the well-being of Eva Smith, as "the whole thing's different now" due to there being no social or legal consequences affecting Mr Birling.
40
(the Inspector is speaking) "Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges" - Mr Birling, act 2
* Priestley uses the Inspector as a vehicle for socialism, as Mr Birling is reminded of his "responsibilities" and the need to address them.
41
"It's one of the happiest nights of my life... your engagement to Shelia means a tremendous lot to me" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The selfish nature of Mr Birling is revealed by the use of the personal pronoun "me" and "my life".
* The emphasis on Mr Birling's own life is due to his own reputation and social status increasing after Sheila's marriage to Gerald.
* In reality, it matters not whether Sheila and Gerald are happily married.
42
"Perhaps I ought to warn you that hes an old friend of mine. we play golf together" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr Birling attempts to intimidate the Inspector through the verb "warn".
* The belief that association with the Chief Constable puts Mr Birling above the law epitomises the need for greater social injustice and responsibility.
* He repeated makes comments in regard to his high position in society.
43
"I don't like your tone nor the way you're handling this inquiry. And i don't propose to give you much rope" - Mr Birling, act 2
* Again, Birling attempts to sway the Inspector and force him to leave by mentioning the irrelevant fact that he doesn't "like" the Inspector's tone.
* This is due to the higher classes, generally, being let off by law enforcement due to association with officers in higher positions.
44
"I care. I was almost certain for a Knighthood in the next honours list." - Mr Birling, act 3
* Priestley uses the short sentence "I care" to create a potential turning point, where * Mr Birling finally accepts his moral and social responsibility. * However, what follows is an anti-climax as Mr Birling's static nature as a character is reaffirmed.
* What Mr Birling only cares about is his social position, not the wellbeing of Eva Smith and other employees.
45
"There'll be a public scandal... and who here will suffer for that more than I will?" - Mr Birling, act 3
* This rhetorical question is used by Priestley to demonstrate Mr Birling's self-pity rather than sympathy for Eva Smith.
* His social status is more valuable to him than his employee's lives.clearly concerned not about Eva but about himself, about the possible damage to his reputation.
* Rather than lamenting about the sad fate of Eva he is thinking of himself.
* Once again Priestley is showing us sort of effects that capitalism can have on greed and human indifference to other people's tragedies.
* Birling's focus is not on a young woman and pregnant dying but his name and reputation.
* He is concerned with his suffering and believes he is the main victim not Eva and not Eric who has also lost a child through the death of the pregnant Eva.
46
"A heavy looking, rather portentous man" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The use of the adjective "portentous" in the stage directions gives an immediate indication of Mr Birling's self-indulged temperament.
* Portentous has a number of different meanings but one of these is someone who is overly serious or slightly pompous in the way they speak.
* This of course applies very much so to Mr Birling whom we could well suspect of having an inferiority complex due to his modest backgrounds and is thus engaged in a constant struggle to compensate for this by striving to be important or as an equal to those in the town richer than him or of originally a higher social lineage than him
47
"I was an Alderman for years - and Lord Mayor two years ago" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Priestley uses these high-ranking local roles to reveal Mr Birling's belief that social status transcends law and order. - self absorbed
48
"...you'll hear some people say that war's inevitable. And to that I say - fiddlesticks!" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The use of the noun "fiddlesticks", alongside Priestleys use of dramatic irony causes Mr Birling to seem overwhelmingly confident in his arrogance.
* This is due to Britain entering WW1 soon after 1912. Further shows mr birlings foolishness as two years after the play is set it is the same kaiser and german general who decide to go to war.
49
" And i'm talking as a hard headed, practical man of business. And I say there isn't a chance of war"
Mr Birling
Act 1 beginning
He once again refers to himself as a 'hard headed' business man, citing that to state he has credibility in his predictions. He is totally wrong. Priestley does this to criticise capitalists, by making them seem foolish and untrustworthy, to show that they are wrong about capitalism. Priestley is thus indirectly saying that because someone has made a lot of money he is not necessarily intelligent or deserving of being followed in terms of his opinions. The undermining of wealthy capitalists is very important in this play.
50
"by that time you'll be living in a world that'll have forgotten all these... silly little war scares" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Dramatic irony
* The play was first shown in 1945 a year when rather than 'silly little war scares' the second world war ended and people were recovering from the carnage and catastrophe of this giant conflict.
* Rather than the very smug predictions that Mr Birling makes, the reality is far different.
51
"(the Titanic is) unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The certainty shown by Mr Birling's repetition of "unsinkable" demonstrates his poor judgement.
* This is due to the Titanic sinking.
* Dramatic irony
52
"time of steadily increasing prosperity" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The Great Depression followed 1912 and engulfed post-war Britain. Therefore, the audience in 1945 would identify Mr Birling as unreliable and thus dislike him.
* There is dramatic irony because he talks about a period of prosperity to come when in fact Britain will be caught up in a horrific war killing around 17 million people, this immensely erroneous (incorrect) prediction shows how foolish he can be
53
"There'll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere" - Mr Birling, act 1
* In 1945 far from peace and prosperity everywhere, there were dead men, widowed ladies, fatherless children, hunger and suffering amidst destroyed buildings and towns, Europe at that time was the very antithesis of 'peace and prosperity', arguably the most ironic quote in this whole section of the play.
* An irony which would have resonated strongly with any audience who had emerged from the war and who may have lost many loved ones and experienced hunger and fear themselves.
54
'But you youngsters just remember what I Said. We can't let these Bernard Shaws and H.G.Wellses do all the talking. We hardheaded practical business men must say something sometime. And we don't guess - we've had experience - and we know.' - Mr Birling, act 1
* Birling is trying to say that leadership of society should belong to capitalists and not to writers and thinkers.
* Bernard Shaw was a famous playwright and leftist. H. G. Wells was a writer with socialist views who was even read by the prime minister during the second world war, Winston Churchill.
* We can assume that by previously showing Birling's foolishness with his wildly wrong predictions and then his attempt to dissuade people from listening to leftist writers such as as Shaw and Wells, Priestley is in fact trying to tell us we should ignore Birling and indeed listen to them.
* Birling is the man who said the Titanic would not sink and there would be no war so we should ignore what he said and rather follow the opposite. Society should listen to writers and socialists not 'hard headed' (Birling's words) businessmen.
55
"Yes, you don't know what some of these boys get up to nowadays. More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric's age. They worked us hard in those days and kept us short of cash. Thought even then - we broke out and had a bit of fun sometimes." - Mr Birling, act 1
* The phrase ' you don't know what some of these boys get up to nowadays' is very ironic as Birling does indeed not know what his boys
* i.e. his son and future son-in-law are up to including having sexual relations with a former employee of his.
* Birling refers to his youth when he had to work hard. Unlike the Crofts who were born in to wealth, Birling had to struggle and work hard for his wealth.
* In contrast there may be an implication that Eric has been raised spoilt with lots of cash around in contrast to Birling's younger days.
56
"Yes. Incidentally we've been modestly celebrating his engagement to my daughter, Sheila" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Birling goes out of his way to just 'incidentally' mention that this son of a rich family is marrying his daughter.
* Birling is thus progressing in the world socially and his constant need for validation by the approval of others seems to be working as we see with the son of a rich landowning family marrying the daughter of a man (Birling) of modest origins.
57
"We were having a nice family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now, haven't you?" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Not only was the family dinner going well but Mr Birling's life and that of his family appeared to be going well.
* He places blame for this 'nasty mess' on the inspector. However is it really the inspector's fault or more the consequences of the Birling's behaviour fundamentally?
* Are they the ones who have really caused this 'nasty mess'?
58
"you're the one I blame for this" - Mr Birling , act 3
* Birling says this to Eric.
* What is important is that what is not of importance to him is his wife not helping Eva when she came to her charity or Sheila making her jobless.
* Birling is not bothered by that but he blames the one blood family member who actually did help Eva by giving her money.
* Birling's selfishness and indifference to Eva's suffering is in full ugly view at this point with this quote.
59
"Then look at the way he talked to me. Telling me to shut up - and so on. He must have known I was an ex-Lord mayor and a magistrate and so forth. Besides - the way he talked - you remember. I mean, they don't talk like that. I've had dealings with dozens of them." - Mr Birling, act 3
* Birling is angry because he wanted the inspector to respect him or even be fearful of him due to Birling's prominent status in the community for which he has worked hard to attain.
* Despite that the inspector has no interest in that, this would naturally surprise the very status-obsessed Birling who is clearly used to speaking to less assertive police officers.
60
"That fellow obviously didn't like us. He was prejudiced from the start. Probably a socialist or some sort of crank - he talked like one." - Mr Birling, act 3
* Birling refers to the inspector as a 'crank'.
* This goes in with his earlier criticism of socialists and famous writers with socialist views urging a more socially responsible and compassionate attitude to society.
* However the audience would realise the inspector has done no wrong and played no part in Eva's sad demise and merely exposed the reprehensible behaviour of the Birlings and ended with a message urging compassion to all members of society.
61
"Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?" - Mr Birling, act 2
* Mr Birling is the patriarchal head of his household.
* He tries to defend his wife but treats her as if she cannot defend herself.
62
"I protest against the way in which my daughter, a young unmarried girl, is being dragged into this-" - Mr Birling, act 2
* Trying to defend Sheila making her look innocent
63
'she had to go' 'it's my duty to keep labour costs down' - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr Biirling dogmatically excusing himself makes him seem dislikeable and egotistic use of verb 'had to' suggests he had no choice, when we know he CHOSE to fire her.
64
"A socialist or some sort of crank" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Shows Birling doesn't like socialism
* The noun "crank" is an attempt by Mr Birling to condemn socialism, however, * Priestley's use of dramatic irony causes the audience to oppose Mr Birling's views and therefore sympathise with socialists
65
"provinicial in his speech" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Low class origins, compensating his low class speech with material possessions
66
"you ought to like this port, gerald. It's exactly the same port your father gets" - Mr Birling, act 1
* 'ought' reveals mr birlings insecurities regarding social status
67
"we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr Birling. reveals true motive behind sheilas marriage, which is profit over love.
* Represents capitalism, where money is at the heart of everything
68
"as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive- community and all that nonsense" - Mr Briling, act 1
* Simile 'bees in a hive' is an attempt to trivialise socialism
69
"it's my duty to keep labour costs down" - Mr Birling, act 1
* Noun 'duty' emphasises
70
"If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth." - Mr Birling, act 1
* Hyperbole of 'asking for the earth' tries to justify his sacking of eva, but it reflects the absurdity of his refusal to pay a decent wage
71
"why you hysterical young fool - get back - or I'll" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Using irony to create a dislikeable perception of mr birling, as he insults and threatens his children, it's obvious that he is the 'hysterical' one
72
"now look at the pair of them - the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can't even take a joke" - Mr Birling
* The use of the noun "joke" is significant as it is ironic.
* It occurs just before the phone rings and a 'real' inspector calls on the telephone.
* Also, trivialising Eva Smith's suffering as a "joke" emphasises the static character of Mr Birling
73
"As it happened more than eighteen months ago - nearly two years ago - obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl's suicide." - Mr Birling, act 1
* About evas dismissal. the adverb 'obviously' is a desperate attempt to free himself from blame, but is portrays him as arrogant and dislikeable
74
"I can't accept any responsibility" - Mr Birling
* Mr Birling adverb 'any' shows complete lack of morality, his involvement has no impact on driving Eva to suicide.
75
"If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody... it would be very awkward wouldn't it?" - Mr Birling
* Priestley's use of the adjective "awkward", coupled with Mr Birling's self-absorbed character reveals that an increased sense of responsibility for everyone would really only be
* "awkward" for him. extends to mr birling representing the capitalist middle class ideology that he is a microcosm for.
76
"i've got to cover this up as soon as I can" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Mr. Birling does not want people finding out about what he has done.
* He cares only for his own wellbeing and social status rather than what has happened to eva
77
"There's every excuse for what both your mother and I did." - Mr Birling, act 3
* Separating himself and mrs birling as the older generation. diversion of blame onto children reveals the unchanged selfish core of Mr Birling
78
"(jovially) But the whole thing's different now" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Priestley uses the stage direction "(jovially)" to emphasise Mr Birling's indifference to the well-being of Eva Smith, as he thinks everything has changed due to there being no social or legal consequences affecting
79
"The Inspector (massively)
Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privaleges." - to Mr Birling, act 2
* Socialism reminding Mr Birling of his responsibilities
* Adverb reflects the effect that the inspectors words have, despite not being a massive character physically.
80
"It's one of the happiest nights of my life... your engagement to Shelia means a tremendous lot to me" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The selfish nature of Mr Birling is revealed by the use of the personal pronoun "me" and "my life".
* In reality, it matters not whether Sheila and Gerald are happily married
81
"Perhaps I ought to warn you that that [the Chief Constable is] an old friend of mine. We play golf together." - Mr Birling, act 1
* Mr Birling attempts to intimidate the Inspector through the verb "warn".
* The belief that association with the Chief Constable puts Mr Birling above the law epitomises the need for greater social justice and responsibility basically Mr Birling thinking he's above everyone else.
* Also verb 'ought' in this context is condescending and belittling.
82
"I don't like your tone nor the way you're handling this enquiry." - Mr Birling, act 2
* Mr Birling thinks his opinion is important, just because he doesn't 'like' his tone, he should leave.
* Maybe he thinks because Mr Birling is higher class, his friends in high places wouldn't handle it like this.
* He thinks the inspector should handle the inquiry with bias knowing Mr Birling's power, but instead he handles it socialistically.
83
"I care. I was almost certain for a Knighthood in the next honours list." - Mr Birling, act 3
* short sentence "I care' to create a potential turning point.
* but its followed by an anti-climax and his static nature is reaffirmed
84
"There'll be a public scandal... and who here will suffer for that more than I will?" - Mr Birling, act 3
* Rhetorical question used to demonstrate mr Birlings self pity rather than sympathy for eva.
* his social status > his employees lives
85
"A heavy looking, rather portentous man" - about Mr Birling, at 1
*Sstage directions introducing Mr Birling
* The adjective "heavy-looking" in itself due to the hyphen is loong and "heavy-looking". The reference to appearance shows how the Birlings are very superficial and obsessed with looks and reputation
* The adjective "portentous" connotes seeking wonder or amazement for oneself and being self important, pompous. This present s Mr Birling as self-centered and grandiloquent (pompous)
86
"You'll hear some people say that war is inevitable. And to that I say - fiddlesticks!" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The use of the noun "fiddlesticks", alongside Priestley's use of dramatic irony causes Mr Birling to seem overwhelmingly confident in his arrogance.
* This is due to Britain entering WWI soon after 1912
87
"(the Titanic is) unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" Mr Birling, act 1
* The certainty shown by Mr Birling's repetition of "unsinkable" demonstrates his poor judgement.
* This is due to the Titanic sinking.
88
"time of steadily increasing prosperity" - Mr Birling, act 1
* The Great Depression followed 1912 and engulfed post-war Britain.
* Therefore, the audience in 1945 would identify Mr Birling as unreliable and thus dislike him.
