Analysis And Quotes

Question 1

Unsinkable

Answer 1

Mr Birling- “unsinkable absolutely unsinkable”
- dramatic irony as his predictions were wrong
- Priestley uses this to undermine our faith in him as a reader

Question 2

The way some of these

Answer 2

Mr Birling- “The way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else”
- crank - insulting term people with unusual ideas
- he is referring to socialist ideas

Question 3

If you don’t come down

Answer 3

Mr Birling- “if you don’t come down sharply on some of these people they’d soon be asking for the earth”
- refers to workers - groups them
- these people - lacks respect for lower classes

Question 4

But she was very pretty

Answer 4

Sheila - “but she was very prettyb and looked as though she could take care of herself. I couldn’t be sorry for her”
- initial reaction was prejudice
- believes Eva’s prettiness will somehow allow her to take care of herself
- after she accepts responsibility - younger may be more subseptable to change however they are still heavily inflenced by older

Question 5

I dont suppose for a moment

Answer 5

Mrs Birling- “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide … girls of that class”
- prejudice- believes its impossible for her class to understand, she is above their problems
- ‘we’ indicates upper class share similar values
- these values are integrated into their thinking very hard for them to change their mindsets