AI Mrs Birling Flashcards
Who is Mrs Birling in ‘An Inspector Calls’?
Mrs Birling is the wife of Arthur Birling and the mother of Sheila and Eric Birling.
What social class does Mrs Birling represent?
Mrs Birling represents the upper middle class and embodies the attitudes of the wealthy elite.
True or False: Mrs Birling is sympathetic towards the working class.
False
What is Mrs Birling’s attitude towards social responsibility?
Mrs Birling believes in personal responsibility and is dismissive of social responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling is the chairwoman of the __________.
Brumley Women’s Charity Organization
What does Mrs Birling think about Eva Smith’s request for help?
Mrs Birling believes Eva Smith’s request for help is inappropriate and refuses assistance.
Multiple Choice: Which character does Mrs Birling blame for Eva Smith’s death?
D. Eric Birling
How does Mrs Birling react to the Inspector’s questioning?
Mrs Birling is defensive and tries to assert her authority.
True or False: Mrs Birling accepts any blame for her role in Eva Smith’s downfall.
False
What does Mrs Birling’s character suggest about the attitudes of the time?
Her character suggests a lack of empathy and a rigid adherence to social class distinctions.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling is described as __________ and __________.
cold; unsympathetic
What is Mrs Birling’s relationship with her children?
She is controlling and often critical, particularly of her son Eric.
Multiple Choice: What does Mrs Birling think of her husband’s business decisions?
B. She supports them unconditionally.
How does Mrs Birling view the Inspector?
She views him as an inferior and tries to intimidate him.
True or False: Mrs Birling is a character that evolves throughout the play.
False
What does Mrs Birling’s final line in the play reveal about her character?
It reveals her persistent denial and refusal to accept responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling believes that __________ is the cause of social issues.
lack of personal responsibility
Multiple Choice: Which theme is most associated with Mrs Birling’s character?
C. Class and social responsibility
What is Mrs Birling’s view on charity?
She believes charity should be given selectively and not to those she deems unworthy.
True or False: Mrs Birling is portrayed as a progressive character.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s character contribute to the play’s message?
Her character illustrates the dangers of ignorance and the lack of social responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling refers to Eva Smith as a __________.
girl of that sort
What does Mrs Birling’s reaction to the Inspector reveal about her personality?
It reveals her arrogance and inability to accept criticism.
Multiple Choice: Mrs Birling’s attitude towards her family can be described as:
A. Authoritarian
How does Mrs Birling view her daughter’s engagement to Gerald Croft?
She views it as advantageous and socially acceptable.
True or False: Mrs Birling feels guilt for her actions.
False
What does Mrs Birling’s refusal to see her faults suggest about her character?
It suggests she is entrenched in her beliefs and incapable of self-reflection.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling believes that the poor must __________.
help themselves
What event catalyzes the Inspector’s investigation?
The suicide of Eva Smith.
Multiple Choice: How does Mrs Birling perceive the Inspector’s authority?
B. As an unwelcome intrusion
True or False: Mrs Birling is the first character to speak when the Inspector arrives.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s dialogue reflect her views on gender roles?
Her dialogue often reflects traditional views, emphasizing male authority.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s views are primarily influenced by her __________.
social status
What does the Inspector’s approach to questioning reveal about Mrs Birling?
It reveals her defensiveness and unwillingness to acknowledge her failures.
Multiple Choice: What does Mrs Birling prioritize above all?
A. Social reputation
True or False: Mrs Birling is portrayed as a caring mother.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s character contrast with that of Sheila Birling?
Sheila shows growth and empathy, while Mrs Birling remains unchanged.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s final words indicate her belief that the Inspector is a __________.
hoax
What does Mrs Birling’s character symbolize?
She symbolizes the entrenched attitudes of the upper class.
Multiple Choice: How does Mrs Birling respond to the Inspector’s claims?
C. With disbelief and contempt
True or False: Mrs Birling’s character is meant to evoke sympathy from the audience.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s perspective on charity differ from that of the Inspector?
The Inspector advocates for social responsibility, while Mrs Birling sees it as conditional.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s lack of compassion is evident when she says, ‘I did not like her manner.’ This reflects her __________.
prejudice
What does Mrs Birling’s insistence on social superiority reveal about her character?
It reveals her arrogance and sense of entitlement.
Multiple Choice: Which character does Mrs Birling dismiss as unworthy?
B. Eva Smith
True or False: Mrs Birling changes her views by the end of the play.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s character reflect the theme of generational conflict?
Her rigid views clash with the more progressive attitudes of younger characters.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling believes that __________ is the root of social problems.
lack of discipline
What does Mrs Birling’s attitude towards the Inspector highlight about her character?
It highlights her dismissive and condescending nature.
Multiple Choice: What aspect of society does Mrs Birling represent?
A. The upper class
True or False: Mrs Birling is a character that embodies change and progress.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s final reaction to the Inspector contribute to the play’s message?
It emphasizes the themes of denial and refusal to accept responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s character can be described as __________ and __________.
self-righteous; hypocritical
What is Mrs Birling’s view on the role of women in society?
She believes women should uphold traditional values and support their husbands.
Multiple Choice: How does Mrs Birling perceive herself in relation to others?
C. Superior
True or False: Mrs Birling shows any remorse for her actions.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s character serve as a critique of the upper class?
Her character illustrates the moral failings and social irresponsibility of the elite.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling believes that people should be judged by their __________.
social standing
What does Mrs Birling’s eventual denial of the Inspector’s authority represent?
It represents the refusal of the upper class to confront their complicity in social issues.
Multiple Choice: What does Mrs Birling insist on regarding her family’s reputation?
B. It must be protected at all costs.
True or False: Mrs Birling is open to change and new ideas.
False
How does Mrs Birling’s dialogue reflect her ignorance of social issues?
Her comments reveal a lack of understanding and compassion for the struggles of the working class.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s character is often seen as a __________ of the older generation.
stereotype
What lesson does Mrs Birling’s character impart about privilege?
It imparts the lesson that privilege can blind individuals to the suffering of others.
Multiple Choice: How does Mrs Birling react to the news of Eva Smith’s death?
A. Indifferently
True or False: Mrs Birling believes she has done nothing wrong.
True
What is the significance of Mrs Birling’s name in the play?
Her name suggests a connection to her social status and her role as a matriarch.
Fill in the blank: Mrs Birling’s character exemplifies the theme of __________ and __________.
hypocrisy; denial
How does Mrs Birling’s perspective on responsibility differ from the Inspector’s?
She believes in individual responsibility rather than collective social responsibility.
