Mr Birling Quotes

Question 1

Birling speech

Answer 1

‘Unsinkable, completely unsinkable’ - dramatic irony, Titanic could be a metaphor for the family as everyone in the family thought they’d live a easy going, higher class life, until the inspector sinks their ship
The repetition very clearly shows mr birling’s arrogance and complacency

Question 2

Capitalist views

Answer 2

‘A man has to look out for himself’ - capitalist views, this shows that mr birling only really cares about himself

Question 3

Greedy

Answer 3

‘Lower costs and higher prices’ - shows he only cares about money and he doesn’t care about the impact this will have on others especially lower class people

Question 4

Self-centredness

Answer 4

Does that satisfy you? So I refused.” - asks a question and then answers it himself. Not interested in the views of others. He thinks he’s always right, when he’s wrong nearly every time

Question 5

Arrogance

Answer 5

my duty to keep labour costs down” - use of ‘my’ shows his arrogance, ‘duty’ suggests he feels an obligation to do this.

Question 6

Impolite to Edna

Answer 6

‘Show him in here. Give us more light’ - these two sentences are short and monosyllabic, implying no attempt of politeness. Both sentences also, start with imperatives, ‘show’ and ‘give’ as if birling expects his orders to be followed instantly.