Mr Birling Inspector Calls Flashcards
(22 cards)
What words link to the Character of Mr Birling
Animalistic treatment of people
Explotative towards the lower class
Obdurate (Stubborn) link to irresponsible and the older classes
Callous (cruel) - Eva Smith is being fired
Ostentatious (shows off to the Inspector)
Shirks (avoids responsibility)
What is the key theme of the Quote and finish the quote
“As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - “ (act 1)
Said by Mr Birling
“As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense “ (act 1)
Capitalism vs Socialism
Responsbility
Social class
What is the techniques of this quote
“As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense “ (act 1)
Zoomorphism (giving a human animal qualities) such as Mr B characterising society but mostly linking the lower class to ‘bees’
This shows Mr B to degrade and mock the concept of collective responsibility and he potrays it as an animalistic feature fot for only insignificant creatures like ‘bees’ only meant for the lower class
He completely dismisses the idea of responsibility and perceives it as trivial ‘unimportant’
What does the use of the hyphen in the quote do
“As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense “ (act 1)
The use of a theatrical pause, compels the actor to hesitate before articulating the word ‘community’. This pause emphasises his physical repulsion to the concept suggesting an inability to even verbalise it
This vilifies Mr Birling
Priestly uses Mr Birling as a microcosm (something small representing something larger) for capitalist ideologies showing his preference to materialism over human relations
What key themes does this quote link to
'’As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense “ (act 1)
Older vs younger generation
Older vs younger generation
As Mr Birling’s obdurateness (stubbornness) displays him to be a product of the older generation and being entrenched in his ideologies
This makes him seem as a stagnant character as he maintains a dehumanising and irresponsible perspective,refusing to adapt or grow
How does this quote link to gulit
'’As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense “ (act 1)
Guilt
Die to his capitalist ideologies Mr Birling absolves himself from the feeling of guilt and remorse. He perceives his social status as granting him the authority to dehumanise those beneath his social class
What act and character says the quote what key themes does it link to
And what is the key themes
'’Public _________,Mr Birling, have _____________as well as ______________’’ (act inspector)
'’Public men,Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’’ (act 2 inspector)
Capitalism vs socialism
Responsibility
Social class
How does syntax (word of order) place ‘responsibility’ before ‘privileges’
'’Public men,Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’’ (act 2 inspector)
It reflects the direct order of importance emphasised by the Inspector to Mr Birling
Mr Birling however prioritises his privileges and materialistic gains over his responsibility and the development of a collective social (knowing right from wrong)
The use of the fragmented structure of ‘‘public men’’ followed by ‘‘Mr Birling’’ This mirrors Mr Birlings fragmented perception of responsibility and accountability for his exploitative treatment of the lower classes
What does Mr Birling perceive his social status to grant him
'’Public men,Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’’ (act 2 inspector)
The authority to dehumanise those beneath him and absolve (be free from) himself of any responsibility for the suffering he causes them
What other themes does this quote link to
'’Public men,Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges’’ (act 2 inspector)
Older vs Younger: Mr Birling is intrenched in his capitalist outlook
Guilt :
Mr Birling exhibits a complete absence of guilt
And Devoid (lacking) of remorse and he is fixated on his reputation over Eva’s life
What is the key theme of the Quote and finish the quote and what character says it
'’There’ll be a ________ scandal’’
Act
'’There’ll be a public scandal’’
Act 2 Mr B
Key themes of
Old vs Young
Guilt
Social class
What is Euphamism
Substituting a word for a less harsh phrase
How does Mr Birling make the quote
'’There’ll be a public scandal’’ Act 3
a Euphamism
Rather than admitting to the grave crime he has contributed to, Mr Birling uses euphemistic language to downplay Eva’s death as a mere scandal
He may be driven by the fear of his facade (false appearance) and attempting to maintain his public perception
How is Mr Birling seen as Stagnant Character (doesn’t change)
In the quote ‘‘There’ll be a public scandal’’ Act 3
Due to Mr Birling persisting in his self-serving outlook on life
As he ignores his moral and civic obligations as a member of society
Why does Priestley develop Mr Birling into his character
His lack of development is disheartening yet unsurprising for the audience, as Priestly early on establishes that capitalist characters from the older generation prioritise social status over compassion
What is satire and how does Priestley use it
To mock something which Priestly uses through the character of Mr Birling
What other themes does this quote link to Capitalism vs Socialism:
'’There’ll be a public scandal’’ Act 3
Capitalism vs Socialism:
Through serving as microcosm exemplifying capitalist ideologies
What is the key theme of the Quote and finish the quote
“The ___________ younger ____________ who knows it all.’‘And now they can’t even take a ________-“
Act 3
“The famous younger generation who know it all.
And now they can’t even take a joke-“ (act 3)
Old vs Young
Guilt
Social class
How is this quote Ironic said by Mr Birling
“The famous younger generation who know it all.
And now they can’t even take a joke-“ (act 3)
Due to Mr B derisively (mockingly) labelling the younger generation as ‘know it alls’ even though he asserts himself to ‘know it all’ referencing to the ‘titanic’ and dismissing concerns of as ‘silly’ little war scares
What is the importance of the speech cut off in the quote
“The famous younger generation who know it all.
And now they can’t even take a joke-“ (act 3)
Following Mr Birling’s remorseless and callous dismissal of the suicide as a mere ‘joke’ he is interrupted by the telephone refereeing to the same interruption as the inspector in Act 1
Through this quote how has Priestley opted for a allegorical diatribe (criticism while teaching a message)
“The famous younger generation who know it all.
And now they can’t even take a joke-“ (act 3)
To perhaps visually depict Mr Birling’s beliefs as emblematic pf the capitalist older generation that should be physically and symbolically removed from society
What other themes does this quote link to Responsibility:
'’There’ll be a public scandal’’ Act 3
Responsibility:
Mr Birling exhibits a complete absence of guilt through his display irresponsibility and general devoid of remorse due to reaming fixated on preserving his reputation and facade
