Character: Mrs Birling Flashcards
“In spite of what’s happened to the girl since, I consider I did my duty.”
Shows she had no sympathy for the girl and takes no responsibility for her involvement in Eva smiths death. It also shows how divided the upper and working class were at the time
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
She continues to take no responsibility and passes the blame to the father. But little does she know that the father is her son and therefore she is also responsible as she has not bought her son up properly
“But I think she had only herself to blame“
Shows how little pity there is to the working class and the struggles they must endure. This also highlights the device between the two classes and priestly is trying to encourage others in helping and caring for those in need as there was no benefit system at the time.
“I accept no blame for it all”
She represents the upper class. This denial of blame illustrates how the upper class often distanced themselves from others and their suffering. This also show the lack of care for those in need and emphasis the need for a benefit system.
“Go and look for the father if the child. It’s his responcibility”
while she was trying to defend herself she passed the blame ontto the father. This can show sthe lack of responcibility she takes and how little sympathy she feels for the wroking class.
In doing so she unknowingly passes the blame to her son and this could show how she has raised her son poorly
