Other characters - BEFORE INSPECTOR

Question 1

“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things.” (Act 1)

Mrs Birling

Answer 1

Shows her concern with etiquette and propriety rather than truth or ethics. Reflects her strict adherence to social conventions and a desire to maintain respectability. Shows her role as a matriarch, aligned with social appearance.

Question 2

“Now, Arthur, I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.” (Act 1)

Mrs Birling

Answer 2

“Ought to” suggests moral authority, but her values are rooted in social status, not justice.
Priestley uses Sybil to satirise the hypocrisy of the upper class.
Context: reflects the gender roles of the time, where women were expected to remain out of such affairs

Question 3

“What about war?” (Act 1)

Eric

Answer 3

Challenges his father’s overly confident claims that war is unlikely, revealing a degree of uncertainty and intuition

Question 4

“Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages?” (Act 1)

Eric

Answer 4

Early sympathy for the working class, the rhetorical question directly challenges Birling’s capitalist views, like Sheila.
Context: reflects Priestley’s own socialist ideals.

Question 5

“You seem to be a nice well-behaved family—” (Act 1)

Gerald

Answer 5

the family appears respectable, but this illusion will be shattered. The phrase “nice, well-behaved” is superficial, showing Gerald’s belief in appearances over truth.

Question 6

“After all, y’know, we’re respectable citizens and not criminals.” (Act 1)

Gerald

Answer 6

Gerald’s tone is dismissive; he believes** class and status make them morally superior.** The use of the colloquial “y’know” adds a sense of casual arrogance.