An Inspecor Calls - Mrs Birling Flashcards
‘a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior’
Act 1
She is detached and controlled in her emotions; clearly born into the middle-class and that makes her aware of class differences; enjoys her sense of status.
Social superior means Birling climbed up the echelon of social status, through the marriage with Mrs Birling.
Act 1 - (reproachfully) Arthur - you’re not supposed to say such things
She has clear idea of behaviour/decorum
Has social filters and stops Birling from talking about “business” during the marriage
Act 1 - 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.
You’ll have to get used to it, just as I had.
She has a clear expectations of gender: women should be passive and accepting of their husband’s
Act 1 - Sheila: You’re squiffy
Mrs B: What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days!
Has clear expectations of behaviour and how women should act; foreshadows her negative thoughts on Eva/Daisy
Against the colloquialism of the younger generations
Act 1 - Now, Arthur, if you’ve no more to say, I think Sheila and I had better go into the drawing-room and leave you men -
Gender expectations: women should leave the room when men start to drink whisky, smoke cigars and ‘talk’
Act 2 - While we’ll be glad to tell you anything you want to know, I don’t think we can help you much
Mrs Birling is distancing herself from the entire investigation whilst remaining polite to the inspector - manners.
Also shows a lack of responsibility for Eva Smith’s death
Act 2 - That - I consider - is a trifle impertinent, Inspector
Mrs B is being quite rude to the inspector
Anacoluthon shows a change in tone and attitude
Act 2 - I must say that so far you seem to be conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner. You know of course that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate-
Mrs Birling tells the inspector their status and importance in society because in the time, they would be used to status bias to an extent.
Act 2 - (about Eric drinking) (staggered) It isn’t true
Mrs Birling can’t bear to think that her son could have a drinking problem and it pains her to hear this
Presents Mrs Birling to be under the false facade of a perfect family
Act 2 - It would be much better if Sheila didn’t listen to this story at all
Mrs Birling, (like Mr B) tries to shield Sheila despite her being an adult
Act 2 - Go look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility
Ironic because she is unaware that Eric is the father at this point
Act 3 - Eric, I can’t believe it. There must be some mistake.
Mrs Birling is now aware of Eric’s involvement and is shocked for his actions despite deflecting her own
Act 3 - He certainly didn’t make me confess - as you call it. I told him quite plainly that I thought I had done my duty.
‘I had thought I had done my duty’
Mrs Birling continutes to deny all involvement and responsibility despite being the final thing that drove her to commit suicide
Act 3 - The rude way he spoke to Mr Birling and me - it was quite extraordinary
The first instinct is to ignore their actions whether the Inspector was legitimate or not
Shows her hubris as a character
Act 3 - Besides you’re not the type - you don’t get drunk
Mrs Birling is continuing to tell herself that Eric doesn’t have this drinking issue because it reflects badly on them
