God - Act 2 Key Quotations Flashcards
God exposes the utter hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper classes through Gerald’s attitudes towards women:
“And you think young women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things?”
- The Bourgeoisie class members see women as emotionally unstable and fragile, and thus shelter them, despite using proletariat women as objects of pleasure and mistreating them - exemplifies hypocrisy and complete lack of social responsibility.
God’s control and power over the Birlings:
“massively taking charge”
God portrays Priestley’s main message about his hope for the younger generation taking responsibility in the future to better society by establishing socialist ideals:
The “young ones” are “more impressionable”.
- Reflects Priestley’s target audience and main message.
God is very blunt in his manner of speech and does not censor any harsh details, exemplifying his willingness to display the difficult realities of society, once again alluding to Priestley’s message about socialism and his resentment about the unjust class divides:
“(harshly) Yes, she’s dead.”
God reminds Birling that he has social responsibility as well as public status; exposes the fact that Arthur is only concerned about his appearance and reputation rather than the impact and consequences of his actions upon others; Priestley criticises the upper classes and communicates his message about the need for social equality once again:
“Public men, Mr Birling, have responsibilities as well as privileges.”
God speaks back directly to Mrs Birling; her aristocratic status is no barrier to impede his power and stern dominance in making her aware of her need to take responsibility for her actions (theme of social class divide, socialism, responsibility):
“I think you did something terribly wrong”
God tricks Mrs Birling into telling him how the father should be punished:
“But suppose we do [assume that he was stealing money], what then?”
