aic - Mr. Birling quotes

Question 1

heavy-looking, rather portentous man

Answer 1

physical representation of capitalist greed
uses size to intimidate
portentous = arrogant, pompous
= audience dislike > capitalism less appealing

Question 2

unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable

Answer 2

emphasises arrogance and pride
dramatic irony
intensifier ‘absolutely’ = complete confidence in judgement
Priestley makes him look unreliable and foolish = audience distrust Mr. Birling.

Question 3

The German’s don’t want war

Answer 3

dramatic irony presents Mr.B as unlikable.
exclamatory sentence emphasises his passionate beliefs.
Colloquial + immature language reminds us how provincial he is.

Question 4

lower costs and higher prices

Answer 4

wants to maximise profit.
capitalists’ attitude
money and profit primary purpose in life
doesn’t consider impact ‘higher prices’ may have on anyone
even in a momentous occasion for his family and his daughter, he is focused on business

Question 5

community and all that nonsense

Answer 5

we only have responsibility to ourselves and our families
dismisses idea of community and social responsibility as ‘nonsense’

Question 6

as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive

Answer 6

simile
‘mixed up’ suggests belief that social classes shouldn’t interact.
sneers of the idea and is opposed to equal rights

Question 7

hard-headed practical man of business

Answer 7

tone of pride in ‘hard-headed’ and ‘practical’
‘man of business’ = symbol of capitalism
repeated, asserting dominance as he’s confidently shining a spotlight on himmself
‘hard headed’ - shows he doesn’t care about others
Priestley criticising upper class.

Question 8

There’ll be a public scandal. I was almost certain for a knighthood

Answer 8

doesn’t care someone died
only cares that he will lose his social ranking