An Inspector Calls- Mrs Birling Flashcards
Key points
A snob who refused to help Eva Smith because she was proud and thought that she lied about her pregnancy as she lied about being Mrs Birling
She has the least respect for the inspector- tries to intimidate him to leave.
At the beginning
Arrogant
Stuck up
Control
Believes in social order
“Please don’t contradict me like that. In any case I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why that girl committed suicide. Girls of that class”
Act 2
She looks down on the working class
Capitalist views
“Don’t suppose for a moment why we can understand why that girl committed suicide”- their lives so different she can’t see how their actions lead her to commit suicide.
“Yes I think is was a piece of gross impertinence- quite deliberate- and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case”
Eva lied about her name being Mrs Birling and said she was pregnant. Mrs Birling thought that she was lying about her pregnancy to get money and was offended that she had used her name so she made sure that Eva didn’t get the money.
“I’ll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility”
Doesn’t realise that her son was the father.
She has a responsibility to the people asking for help from the charity as she heads it.
“I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it at all”
She hasn’t changed.
She is very arrogant and sure of herself and her position in society.
(Shocked) “Eric! You stole money”
Act 3
Doesn’t believe that her ‘perfect’ son could’ve done something like that.
“They’re over-tired. In the morning, they’ll be as amused as we are”
Thinks that they haven’t changed.
Hasn’t changed since the beginning- doesn’t think that it has anything to do with her- relieved.
At the end
Relief
No remorse
