An Inspector Calls - Mrs Birling Flashcards
Overview of Mrs Birling - Pt1
Represents the social snobbery/hypocrisy of the upper classes, shows little remorse for her treatment of Eva Smith. She holds lack of understanding of the lower classes, and thinks they all behave in a certain way, such as when she refused to believe a “girl of that sort” would refuse to take the stolen money, or marry the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Overview of Mrs Birling - Pt2
Priestly presents her as an absurd character, that ironically passes social guilt upon her son, She is very naive, believing her family is free from problem, and only sees what she wants to see. She is quite prepared to shift blame onto the father of Eva’s child, only to fall into an elegant trap and realise her own son was the father, where she begins to show signs of remorse/weakening.
Overview of Mrs Birling - Pt3
Mrs Birling mirrors the selfish, privileged attitudes of Mr Birling and the rest of the upper class. She saw the lower class as morally inferior (ironic has she worked for a charity, highlights hypocrisy). She further emphasised how big the class divide was. She was also the most resistant to change. The speed at which she recovers after the Inspector leaves reflects her coldness and lack of conscience.
Change in stage directions - Explain
The stage descriptions of her actions change as the pretence is revealed e.g. ‘grandly’ / ‘haughtily’/ ‘triumphantly’ become ‘rather cowed’/ ‘distressed’ ‘staggered’ / ‘alarmed’.
‘that class’/ ‘that sort’/ ‘the type’.
Mrs Birling’s language is quite abrupt and dismissive: ‘that class’/ ‘that sort’/ ‘the type’. She believes she is morally and socially superior to them – she is a snob.
Explain the shift in language structure of Mrs Birling
Later in the play Mrs Birling’s language is broken up into fragments that don’t connect: ‘No-Eric-please’. The fragmented speech echoes the collapsing of self-confidence and complacency of these very comfortable, middle class, wealthy characters. Contrasts with how they were at the start of the play. The dashes could also represent the break down in their relationship.
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
Mrs Birling uses imperatives as she commands the Inspector and other characters which conveys her superiority, confidence and self-assurance.
“a girl of that Class” who has found herself in a ‘particular condition’
Puts on a pretence of respectability by her use of euphemisms.
Describe the use of imagery in relation to “wall”
Use of imagery: Sheila warns her mother not to try and build up a kind of ‘wall’ – the wall being a symbol of a barrier/pretence
