Arthur Birling - Act 2 Key Quotations

Question 1

Birling continues to defend himself and justify his actions, highlighting his static character arc and his unwillingness to part from his capitalist views:

Answer 1

“I only did what any employer might have done.”

Question 2

Birling once again tries to shelter Sheila from this matter; Priestley criticises the opinion of women as less important in 1912 Britain, while he portrays Birling as a typical upper-class man that supports this sheltering of his daughter, directly contrasting with the Suffragette movement that occurred a few years later, which resulted in the empowerment of women, something Priestley encouraged as part of socialism:

Answer 2

He disagrees with “the way in which [his] daughter, a young unmarried girl, is being dragged into this”

Question 3

Birling directly challenges the Inspector about his interrogation of his wife, powerfully exemplifying his condescending attitudes towards those of a lower class, and his obsession over public images and the class system:

Answer 3

“Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?”

Question 4

Birling is concerned about a scandal, once again portraying his obsession over public appearance over the morality and consequences of his actions:

Answer 4

“when this comes out at the inquest, it isn’t going to do us much good”