Inspector Calls Mr Birling Flashcards
How is mr birlings wealth shown
Dialogue with his quote “giving us the port, Edna? That’s right.”
Drinking of port is significant due to its cost - associated with wealthy society
Out of reach for the working class
Readers immediately aware that perhaps mr birling wants to show off his wealth
What method does Priestley use on birling to show power amd to impress Gerald
Name droppin “Finchley”
As birling is speaking to his social superior thus imbalance of power has reduced him to name dropping in an attempt to endear himself to a family who’s social position is one to witch he personally aspires
How does Priestley present mr birlings as arrogant and mislead man
During his speech he doesn’t refer to his daughter or future son in lower however talks about his opinion on the economic future of the country
“Hard headed business man” and “hard headed practical man of business” analysis
Deliberate repetition on Priestleys part emphasises how mr birlings self perception is entirely built upon how he sees himself in terms of work amd money
He only cared about how much money he can make which shows his capitalist views
To make this money you must “keep labour costs down”
How is dramatic irony used to show mr birlings arrogance and confidence
As the play was set in 1912 and first performed in 1945 the audience realise a lot of what he says in the opening parts are wrong
His confidence when he states “the Germans don’t want war” was significantly wrong as war broke out twice afterwards
Described wars as “nonsense” which suggest how confident he is
How does mr birling refer to his family’s social status
Refers to them as the titanic and how they are “absolutely unsinkable” which suggest no one can match them and tear them down
How is young v old shown with mr birling
Priestley shows contrast between the younger and older generations to make a point between capitalism and socialism
Unlike his children mr birling fails to accept responsibility for the death of Eva smith “ there’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did”
Birling fails to understand the inspector and Priestley message of social responsibility - this reinforces the inspectors earlier comment on how it’s the “young ones who are more impressionable”
Youngers more open to socialist ideas
