Capitalism Vs Socialism Flashcards
Mr Birling and capitalist greed
Mr Birling is the archetype of a Capitalist businessman. He is a greedy,money-driven and selfish, and reflects a way private businesses want to make as much money as possible and use many means possible to do so. He is a symbol for “new-money”, a self made man who has a great fortune for himself and his family.
Mr Birling tells family they will “be living in a world that’ll have forgotten about all these capital vs labour agitations”.
“Your father and i have been friendly rivals in business for some time now”
“And now you’ve brought us together”
“Are working together-for lower costs and prices”
-shows how he only views life through the context of business,identifying his “rivals” as possible allies
-proposing to “work together” with Crofts as he sees Sheila’s marriage as a business negotiation and opportunity to expand his own prospects
-“for lower costs and higher prices” - finishes the sentence which shows how it is the ultimate goal for all capitalists. How money and profit motivate everything in society
“Employers are at last coming together to see that our interests-and the interests of capital-are properly protected” which shows how Birling’s ideal future is one where capitalism thrives
-Priestly suggests employers chose to “protect” their profits rather than protecting their workers
-Mr birling presents “interests of capital” and his own “interests” as same thing,showing how his identity is entirely contained within desire for money.
Mr Birling as symbolic of capitalism’s dominance
The description of himself as “hard-headed”,”practical” and “businessman” is repeated 3 times during his opening lecture revealing hoe arrogant and self-assured he is.
Priestly suggest how capitalists were fully confident in their economy, and were unaware of its failings.
Metaphor- “and every luxury-and unsinkable,absolutely unsinkable). Mr birling is oblivious of the disaster that will occur.
-admiration for titanic, its unquestioned size and power, mimics the Capitalist’s desire for such domination. Symbol for Capitalism’s success.
-“unsinkable”-shows that the economic system of capitalism has fatal flaws
Mr Briling capitalism’s selfish qualities and a s a destructive force
It discouraged people from look after each other.
Repetition- “a man has to make his own way- has to look after himself” and “ I can’t accept any responsibility” associating both perspectives with capitalism
As Eva’s story is revealed,Priestly shows how this mantra (quote above) results in people being left behind as Mr Birling refuses to take any responsibility in her death suggests Capitalism encourages narcissism and selfishness.
When recalling workers striker “they were averaging about twenty-two and six, which is neither more nor less than is paid generally in our industry. They wanted the rates raised so they could average about twenty five shillings. I refused of course”
-Mr Birling refuses immediately as he needs to keep his profits high and costs low, to ensure he’s a strong competitor in industry. Show’s how capitalist competitiveness stops people from making allowances for others
“Added about twelve percent to our labour costs”- shows how workers were reduced to statistics, not viewed as individuals with needs and feelings. Eva Smith “causing trouble in the works” and because business owners need to make production as efficient as possible, any workers disturbing production have to go
Mr Birling
Mr Birling-avoiding scruitny
Capitalism-defensive,secretive and hostile
“I don’t see that it’s a concern of yours how i choose to run my business” and find’s inspectors question as “unnecessary” and “officious”
-adjective “officious”- doesn’t want to be questioned as challenges to his authority and intelligence
