inspector calls (Mr Birling quotations and themes

Question 1

A heavy looking, rather portentous man… provincial in this speech

analyse this quotation

Answer 1

Mr Birling is described as being “heavy looking” as though he has strength and weight behind him, but as he only “looks” that way – is it real? Provincial means from the country – does he lack sophistication?

Question 2

unsinkable, absolutely, unsinkable

Answer 2

This piece of dramatic irony exposes Birling’s arrogance. The Titanic did sink – and so he was wrong. His repetition makes him sound even more confident

Question 3

community and all that nonsense … mixed up together like bees in a hive

Answer 3

He ridicules the idea of working together – comparing us to bees in a hive: insects with no ability to think for ourselves

Question 4

a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his….

Answer 4

Mr Birling’s selfishness is so deeply rooted he thinks he “has to” look after himself – as though being selfish was some kind of rule

Question 5

I can’t accept any responsibility for everything that happens to everyone

Answer 5

Now his ability to look after other people is presented as though it’s a kind of disability! He “can’t” accept any responsibility for anyone else. Also, the “everything that happens to everyone” is a piece of hyperbole that’s designed to make the suggestion that he should care more sound ridiculous

Question 6

Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down

Answer 6

“Duty” comes up repeatedly during the play – Mr Birling thinks it’s his duty to keep costs down so that his customers can enjoy his product and he can compete. He has no care for the real cost of this

Question 7

we’ve been had that’s all

Answer 7

In the end, he doesn’t care and he hasn’t learnt anything. He sees the whole thing as a game