Arthur Birling - Key Quotes Flashcards
What is a quote that shows Arthur Birling is ambitious?
“there’s a ____ good ______ of a ________”
“there’s a very good chance of a knighthood”
- Act One
- Before Inspector
- To Gerald
What is a quote that shows Arthur Birling is business-minded?
“a hard-______, practical ___ __ business”
“a hard-headed, practical man of business”
- Showing Mr Birling is arrogant
- Dismissive about war and dramatic irony
- Act One, Before Inspector, to Eric
What is a quote that shows Mr Birling is selfish? “a __ has to make ___ ___ way”
“a man has to make his own way”
- Arthur to Gerald, Act One
- Before Inspector Arrives
What is a quote that shows Mr Birling is anxious?
“there’ll be __ ______ _______ - unless _____ _____”
“there’ll be a public scandal - unless we’re lucky”
- Act Three
How does Arthur react to Sheila’s marriage?
“lower ______ _____ _____ prices”
He sees it as a business deal for The Crofts and The Birlings to merge in hopes that it will bring
“lower costs and higher prices”
- When toasting the engagement in Act One
What is Arthur’s attitude towards the future? “silly ______ war ______”
- He is very optimistic about the future. He thinks that strikes won’t be a problem and dismisses war as:
“silly little war scares”
- Dramatic Irony to make him seem foolish and short-sighted.
Which undermines his authority - Act One, Speaking to Eric
How does Birling dismiss the idea of Social Responsibility (theme)?
“Probably a ______ or some ____ __ ____”
“Probably a socialist or some sort of crank”
- Birling is selfish and self-centered. He can’t admit what he has done
- Doesn’t change throughout play
- Only worries about himself
- Act Three
What is a quote that shows Birling finds it difficult to think about other people?
“cheap ____”
“community ___ all ____ nonsense”
“cheap labour”
“community and all that nonsense”
- Birling doesn’t believe in communities and he sees other people as
“cheap labour” - Act One
Shows Capitalist vs Socialist View
What is a quote to show that Arthur prizes his reputation?
“give ______”
Birling says he would “give thousands” to avoid a scandal
- Act Three
Birling says that the Inspector makes a “nasty ____” of the celebrations
Arthur blames the Inspector for making a “nasty mess” of the celebrations, rather than be respectful of Eva’s death.
