Birling

Question 1

How is Birling described in the stage directions, right at the start of act 1

Answer 1

‘a heavy looking, rather portentious man’

Question 2

In Act 1, what does Birling say about the dinner and what does this show about his attitude?

Answer 2

‘Very nice, good dinner too’

• Hes complimenting the food when he isnt the guest, which shows his narcissistic personality

Question 3

Give a quote, from act 1, that suggests that Birling is only agreeing to the engagement, so that crofts and birlings can prosper together

Answer 3

‘working together - for lower costs and higher prices’

Question 4

Give a quote that shows that Birling is hard headed

Answer 4

‘i speak as a hard-headed business man’

Question 5

Give 3 quotes that shows Birling making false prophecies ,what technique is used here and what does it show about Birlings nature

Answer 5

1. ‘wild talk about possible labour trouble’
2. ’ the germans dont want war’
3. ‘unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’

• technique is dramatic irony and this shows birlings stubborn/narrow-minded nature

Question 6

Give a quote that Birling says in act 1, that suggests that lady croft doesnt agree with the engagement and why may this be so?

Answer 6

‘Lady Croft feels you might have done better for yourself socially

• she may not agree as the crofts hold a higher status than the Birlings

Question 7

In act 1, what does birling say that shows his arrogance (about an honours list/knighthood)

Answer 7

‘might find my way into the next Honours list…knighthood, of course’

Question 8

In act 1, what 2 things does Birling say that shows his selfish characteristic (about community) and what does one of the quotes suggest

Answer 8

1. ‘mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense’
2. ‘a man has to mind his own business and look after his own’

Birling repeats the second quote more than once and this suggests that his speeches are practised and unspontaneous

Question 9

In act 1, what does Birling say when the inspector rings on the door that suggests that the inspector would reveal everything

Answer 9

‘give us some more light’

Question 10

What does Birling say after hearing about Evas death, that suggests that he is unsympathetic towards her

Answer 10

(rather impatiently) ‘Yes, yes, horrid business’

Question 11

Give a quote that suggests that Eva was sacked during the suffragette movement

Answer 11

‘must have been in the early autumn of nineteen-ten’

Question 12

Give a quote that suggests that Birling doesnt want to take any responsibility as that would be ‘very awkward’

Answer 12

‘i cant accept any responsibilty….very awkward’

Question 13

Give a quote from act 1, that shows the dominance of men during the period

Answer 13

‘she’d had a lot to say - far too much - so she had to go’

Question 14

Give a quote from act 1, that shows hyprocitical side and what technique is used here

Answer 14

‘its about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities’

• irony is used here as its birling who needs to face a few responsibilities

Question 15

Give a quote from act 1, that shows that Birling thought his actions were justified

Answer 15

‘I was quite justified’

Question 16

What quote suggests that Birling usually only gives speeches to the men and what does this suggest

Answer 16

Birling says to Sheila ‘ i dont often make speeches at you’

• This suggests that perhaps Birling puts all his trust in the men e.g eric

Question 17

What quote suggests that Birling only cares about labour costs and not about his workers wellbeings

Answer 17

‘Its my duty to keep labour costs down’