mr birling Flashcards
(25 cards)
Who is Arthur Birling?
The head of the Birling family and the boss of his own company
How does Arthur Birling view himself?
Very confident and in control
What does Birling angrily tell the Inspector?
‘Well — if you don’t mind — I’ll find out first’
What qualities does the Inspector reveal about Birling?
Ambitious, anxious, selfish, and business-minded
Fill in the blank: Birling is described as a _______ man of business.
hard-headed, practical
What does Birling hope will result from his daughter’s marriage?
Lower costs and higher prices
What does Birling think about the future?
He is very optimistic and dismisses concerns about strikes and war
What technique does Priestley use to undermine Birling’s authority?
Dramatic irony
How does Birling respond to the idea of social responsibility?
He dismisses it and calls people like Goole ‘cranks’
Fill in the blank: Birling sees other people as _______.
cheap labour
What actions did Birling take against his workers?
Refused higher wages and fired ringleaders of the strike
How does Birling react to the Inspector’s visit?
He considers it a ‘hoax’ or a joke
What does Birling value most?
Respect and control
Birling is obsessed with his status and reputation as a public figure.
How does Birling react when his reputation is threatened?
He is terrified and would ‘give thousands’ to avoid scandal
This indicates his desperation to maintain his social standing.
What is Birling’s reaction to being challenged?
He shows a touch of impatience
The Inspector barely speaks before Birling displays this impatience.
What does Birling blame the Inspector for?
Making a ‘nasty mess’ of the night’s celebrations
This reflects Birling’s inability to manage his family’s issues.
What theme is explored through Birling’s character?
Social Class
Birling represents the concerns of the middle class in contrast to the upper class.
What does Birling do to win the Crofts’ approval?
Talks about a knighthood and gets Gerald’s father’s favorite port
This shows his desire for validation from higher social classes.
How does the Inspector threaten Birling?
By challenging his middle-class values and the reputation of his company
Birling’s identity is closely tied to his social standing and business reputation.
What is a notable conflict in Birling’s character?
His position as the ‘head of the family’ vs. being socially inferior to his wife and the Crofts
This highlights the tensions within his family dynamics.
How does Birling’s behavior affect Gerald?
He makes Gerald ‘embarrassed’ by suggesting Lady Croft might not approve of Sheila
This indicates Birling’s tactlessness and lack of social awareness.
What is significant about Birling’s speech?
He is ‘provincial in his speech’ and dislikes interruptions
His regional accent marks him as middle-class, contrasting with upper-class characters.
How does Birling dismiss others’ opinions?
By shouting ‘Rubbish!’ and finishing his own sentences with ‘of course’
This shows his authoritative and dismissive nature.
What key quote reflects Birling’s self-centered philosophy?
‘A man has to mind his own business’
This encapsulates his belief in individualism and profit over social responsibility.
