Dramatic Irony/Mr Birling

Question 1

“You’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable. And to that I say – fiddlesticks!”

Answer 1

The use of the ​noun​ ​“f​ iddlesticks​”,​ alongside Priestley’s use of dramatic irony causes Mr Birling to seem overwhelmingly confident in his arrogance. This is due to Britain entering WWI soon after 1912.

Question 2

“(the Titanic is) unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”

Answer 2

The certainty shown by Mr Birling’s ​repetition​ of “​unsinkable​” demonstrates his poor judgement. This is due to the Titanic sinking

Question 3

“time of steadily increasing prosperity”

Answer 3

The Great Depression followed 1912 and engulfed post-war Britain. Therefore, the audience in 1945 would identify Mr Birling as unreliable and thus dislike him.