aic mr birling Flashcards
“We may look forward to the time when Crofts and
Birlings are no longer competing but are working
together – for lower costs and higher prices.”
shows his true priority is capitalism and not his daughter - highlights the unempathetic nature of his character and shows capitalists to be heartless
“You’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable.
And to that I say – fiddlesticks!”
immediate dramatic irony shows Mr Birling to be foolish
A man has to mind his own business and look after
himself and his own
capitalist mindset which is shot down through the play by suggesting we all have a social responsibility.
“As it happened more than eighteen months ago –
nearly two years ago – obviously it has nothing to do
with the wretched girl’s suicide.”
wretched girl - no pity or sympathy for her. once again shows capitalists to be heartless and cold.
“Arthur Birling is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties
with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech
provincial yet of upper middle class, means he understands capitalism so
“I can’t accept any responsibility.”
immediately rejects any ideas presented. shows him to be foolish right from the start.
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down.”
sees his job as his only priority - capitalist mindest, only concerned with lower costs - his only priority is exploitation
“There’ll be a public scandal… and who here will suffer
for that more than I will?”
only concerned with his business, which shows him to be cold and unsympathetic towards morals. rhetorical question really emphasizes this. he thinks his business would hurt him and cannot separate himself from his business.
“(jovially) But the whole thing’s different now”
jovially sudden change shows he as an older generation member cannot fully accept blame. he sees this situation as different as there is no punishment
‘edna pour us a glass of port’
wants to show off his status to gerald. he is obsessed with status and social standing even on a happy occasion such as an engagement
‘hard headed, practical man of business’
his identity is embedded in his business. repeated throughout the play which shows he wants this to be his image and is very forced. he wants to appear a total capitalist
‘you’ve brought us together’
us - suggests that he views this as the two businesses coming together and believes he should be involved. he does not see this engagement as a relationship but rather a business deal - reveals his views about gender roles
‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
shows him to be foolish and shows the audience not to follow his ways - reinforces priestley’s message of socialism.
mr birling represents
- Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr Birling and to see him as a fool. And by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr Birling, Priestley’s audience could lead a better life
- Throughout the play, Priestley proves there are consequence for every action:
Mr Birling’s thoughtless actions of firing Eva Smith.
His inability to admit his partial responsibility in Eva’s death.
Birling wanting to cover up for Eric stealing money. - Priestley portrayed the evil side of capitalism and an obsession with money. He dislike for capitalism due to ‘the resultant lack of care in society for the poor’.
mr birling’s transformation
- Mr Birling has not changed by the end of the play – he refuses to learn/take on board the Inspector’s lesson.
- Priestley may be warning his audience of the dangers of not learning the lesson (of social responsibility) themselves.
