Key quotes on Mr Birling Flashcards
p1 - ‘Birling is a heavy looking, rather portentous man.’
Use of the phrase ‘heavy looking’ may be an indicator of weight which brings attention to Mr Birling’s wealth in that he is able to purchase and consume large amounts of food.
Reference to being ‘rather portentous’ highlights his efforts to present himself in an excessively solemn manner in order to impress as he is so preoccupied with his image and reputation.
p1 - ‘…in his middle-fifties with fairly easy manners but provincial in his speech.’
An indicator of Mr Birling’s position within the older generation through explicit mention of his age.
Reference to being ‘provincial in his speech’ reminds the audience that he is from new money as opposed to aristocracy as his dialect reveals his upbringing.
p2 - ‘You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.’
Mr Birling is keen to impress Gerald by demonstrating his acquired wealth – port was an expensive drink at the time.
He makes reference to Gerald’s father as a way to elevate his own status by giving the impression that both himself and Sir Croft share the same expensive tastes.
p3 - ‘I’m treating Gerald like one of the family. And I’m sure he won’t object.’
Mr Birling appears to be friendly and welcoming towards Gerald however his harbours an ulterior motive as he is keen to associate himself with the Crofts as a means to improve his social status. His domineering approach is highlighted through his belief that Gerald would not reject such advances of apparent kindness.
p4 - ‘…perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices.’
Mr Birling uses his congratulations as an opportunity to link back to business. He views this union as financially beneficial to himself and by default his family as a competitor is now made an ally through marriage.
Use of the phrase ‘for lower costs and higher prices’ captures the capitalist sentiment which is centred on the accumulation of excessive wealth. Mr Birling wishes to make as much money as possible and does not see moral obligation as an obstacle.
p7 - “The titanic […] unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
The titanic may represent his view of his family, as he believes they are untouchable. This may also foreshadow that things will not go to plan for Mr Birling, as the selfish behaviour of his family is exposed. The repetition of “unsinkable” demonstrates his false sense of overconfidence. This is an example of dramatic irony, as the audience Eric already aware that the titanic sunk.
p6 - ‘I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk.’
He believes that anyone who possesses opposing views should be overlooked and deems them lacking in intelligence.
Mr Birling is portrayed as an opinionated character when he says ‘you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk’ where the verb ‘ignore’ can be representative of Birling’s dismissive nature whilst also implying the ignorance of the upper class.
Additionally, Mr Birling shows his belief that ideas opposing his are nonsensical through the excessive of adjectives in ‘silly pessimistic talk’. Both of these adjectives create negative imagery when concerning war and use the adjective ‘silly’ is said to trivialise the scenario of war.
p33 - “what’s the matter with that child”
Mr billing attempts to infantilise Sheila again, he constantly views Sheila as an obedient child who doesn’t have much a voice.
The use of the word “that child” is very disjointed and cold considering their relationship as father and daughter.
p37 - “Protest against the way in which my daughter, a young unmarried girl is being dragged into this”
this quote me birling is trying to defend Sheila and make her look innocent, he could be doing this due to his affection for her or just to protect his status and social image.
In this moment, Mr Birling cares more about salvaging his daughter’s engagement rather than her. She matters very little in the face of all the benefits her marriage provides him and so he tries to hide what Gerald croft has done to Sheila.
p45 - “The press might easily take it up”
The only aspect he cares about is his reputation which is in line with all of his behaviour so far
However, he does admit to the action being immoral, even if only for it being something that looks bad
This potentially shows a little morality and understanding, if only as contrast to Mrs Birling
P49 - “That my boy -is mixed up in this-?”
“my boy” shows more infantilisation of Eric, despite him being a grown man who drinks and had a relationship.
Both Birlings are losing their power, control and reputation as they find this out
His utter shock shows how this could never even be a possibility for him, he was so self assured that the reality was utterly shocking
A link to how shocked they are that the other man was horrible, they were both very ignorant to what was directly in front of them
p54 - “I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can”
His first instinct is to cover up the issue rather than address it since the only thing that is important is his social status as if this got out it would be detrimental to his reputation.
He is only keen to protect himself as opposed to the whole family. Links back to “a man has to protect himself – and his family too”
Also links to act “the press might easily take it up”. This shows how his mindset hasn’t changed and shows the ignorance of the older generation
Also links to “a public scandal” in how he specifically makes reference to how it would affect his reputation.
p54 - “(angrily) don’t talk to me like that, Your trouble is – you’ve been spoilt”
The use of the stage direction “angrily” reflects Birling’s lack of responsibility as he violently deflects the accusation onto the younger generation.
The accusative phrase - “you’ve been spoilt” is ironic as Birling is blinded by his own faults and is dangerously unaware of his own flaws.
p56 – “(unhappily) Look, Inspector, - I’d give thousands – yes, thousands”
Captures the essence of capitalism and how his first response to the issue is to flaunt his financial status and that his solution for all problems is money.
“unhappily” also shows how he used to have control and has lost it, and how he has to give in to not having power over the situation.
“Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank – he talked like one.”
When somebody doesn’t align with him he’s quick to insult them, and this is the first time where he directly calls out socialism – showing his alignment with capitalism.
He uses derogatory terms like the word “crank,” linking to how he often dismisses things as nonsense, and him describing the inspector as this shows how he disrespects anyone of the lower class.
