Key Quotes/ Character Profile For Aruthr Birling

Question 1

Who is Arthur Birling?

Answer 1

He is an successful businessman who is well respected in Brumley. Owns a factory and is head of the Birling family

Question 2

A quote that backs up that Mr Birling is very confident? And what technique does it show?

Answer 2

“The titanic is unsinkable absolutely unsinkable ” or “ there isn’t chance of war”

Shows dramatic irony

Question 3

Likes to be in control….

Answer 3

“Angrily” tells the inspector “ well if you don’t mind I’ll find out first”

Question 4

Birling is ambitious…

Answer 4

“ there’s a very good chance of a knight hood”

Question 5

Mr Birling is business minded……

Answer 5

“Hard headed, practical man of business

Question 6

Mr Birling is selfish…..

Answer 6

“ A man has to make his own way”

Question 7

Mr Birling is also anxious…..

Answer 7

“ there’ll be a public scandal unless we are lucky”

Question 8

What does this show ? Mr Birling it optimistic about the future and thinks that strikes won’t be a problem for his company and dismisses and fear of war “ silly little war scares “

Answer 8

Shows that Mr Birling is being foolish and short -sighted. Undermines his authority. Priestley uses dramatic irony

Question 9

“ hard headed business man”

Answer 9

Shows his attitudes to all areas of life and shows he has no emotion

Question 10

Why does Mr Birling not take responsibility for other people?

Answer 10

Doesn’t believe in “ community and all that nonsense” sees them as “ cheap labour”

Question 11

Doesn’t accept the blame for Eva smiths death shown through the quote ….

Answer 11

“ if we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we’d had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”

Question 12

Mr Birling dismisses the idea of social responsibility. He calls people like Goole“cranks” what theme does this represent?

Answer 12

Social responsibilities

Question 13

Mr Birling dismisses the idea of social responsibility. He calls people like Goole“cranks” what theme does this represent?

Answer 13

Social responsibilities

Question 14

Birling is presented as being obsessed with his status and says

Answer 14

“Give thousands “ to avoid the scandal

Question 15

How does Mr Birling make himself sound important?

Answer 15

He says that he plays golf with the chief inspector. Shows he has connect with influential people

Question 16

Another themes that portrays mr Birling is social class how ?

Answer 16

Because he’s a wealthy business man but wants to become form and “ old county family” like the Crofts which have inherited land wealth and titles

Question 17

“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself” what does it show?

Answer 17

He want his business to make higher profit. And the author uses his character to show that this profit comes with a high moral cost