Mrs Birling - Quotes

Question 1

Act One: This quotation gives us some background on Mrs. Birling, she may feel some resentment the fact she has married down socially however

Answer 1

‘about fifty, a rather cold woman, and her husband’s social superior’

Question 2

Act One: Mrs. Birling nags her husband and tries to keep him on the right track

Answer 2

‘Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things-‘

Question 3

Act One: It becomes clear that Mr. Birling does not spend much time with Mrs. Birling, which she has come to accept and is now warning Sheila for the same treatment from Gerald

Answer 3

‘When you’re married, you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business’

Question 4

Act One: Mrs. Birling does not approve of the language that Sheila uses

Answer 4

‘Really the things you girls pick up these days’

Question 5

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is a very self assured lady and is not afraid to speak her mind

Answer 5

‘(Mrs. Birling enters, briskly and self confidently)’

Question 6

Act Two: Mrs. Birling looks down upon those below her socially

Answer 6

‘Girls of that class-‘

Question 7

Act Two: Mrs. Birling things that her and her husband’s achievements can get them out of any situation

Answer 7

‘You know of course that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate-‘

Question 8

Act Two: Mrs. Birling still treats Sheila like a child and shouts at her occasionally

Answer 8

‘Sheila!’ ‘Please be quiet, Sheila’ ‘You’re behaving like a hysterical child tonight’ ‘Don’t be childish Sheila’

Question 9

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is very stuck in her ways and is a stubborn lady

Answer 9

‘It isn’t true’ ‘I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it’

Question 10

Act Two: Mrs. Birling struggles to take any responsibility and has quite capitalist views, not taking any blame for what happened to Eva

Answer 10

‘She only had herself to blame’

Question 11

Act Two: Mrs. Birling thinks that her name is famous and everyone wishes to use it

Answer 11

‘She’d impertinently made use of our name’

Question 12

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is stubborn that she has done nothing wrong

Answer 12

‘Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of’

Question 13

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is convinced that she’s absolutely in the right

Answer 13

‘I’ve done nothing wrong’

Question 14

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is happy to shift the responsibility onto anyone other than herself, not realising that she has just put it onto Eric

Answer 14

‘Go and look for the father of the child, it’s his responsibility’ ‘If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to him’

Question 15

Act Two: Mrs. Birling is convinced that anyone with less money than her would take money wherever they can

Answer 15

‘As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money’

Question 16

Act Two: Mrs. Birling shows no remorse and claims that she never will

Answer 16

‘You’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did’

Question 17

Act Two: Mrs. Birling will not take any blame for what has happened

Answer 17

‘But I accept no blame for it at all’

Question 18

Act Three: Mrs. Birling cannot admit that she has done wrong and instead turns to others to say they have made a mistake

Answer 18

‘There must be some mistake’

Question 19

Act Three: Mrs. Birling tries to convince herself that Eric isn’t a drunk by telling him that he isn’t

Answer 19

‘You don’t get drunk’

Question 20

Act Three: IG is blunt with Mrs. Birling about how she did not do her job of helping people when they turn to her

Answer 20

‘You turned her away when she most needed help’ (IG)

Question 21

Act Three: Mrs. Birling is happy to be ashamed of other people but cannot take responsibility for herself

Answer 21

‘I’m absolutely ashamed of you’

Question 22

Act Three: Mrs. Birling thinks that the younger generation are getting carried away with taking responsibility

Answer 22

‘Really, from the way you children talk’