Mr B Ai Mr H Flashcards
Who is Arthur Birling?
A wealthy, prosperous capitalist who owns a factory and was once the Lord Mayor of Brumley
What is Arthur Birling celebrating?
The engagement of his daughter to the son of Sir and Lady Croft
What does Arthur Birling hope to achieve through his daughter’s engagement?
To enter into business with the Crofts to become even more successful
What does Priestley use Arthur Birling to symbolise?
The dysfunctional capitalist ideologies of the Edwardian era
What is Priestley’s intention regarding the audience’s perception of Birling?
To make the audience dislike Birling
What social theme does Priestley promote through the character of Arthur Birling?
The possibility of social change and a fairer society for all
What does the opening stage directions imply about the character?
It could imply a slightly intimidating character or one who has enjoyed the excesses of living his wealth and success have allowed
This suggests a complex personality shaped by social status.
What is the character’s background compared to his wife and the Crofts?
He comes from a more rural, lower class background
This contrast may highlight class differences in the narrative.
How is the character physically described?
‘A heavy-looking, rather portentous man’
This description suggests a certain heaviness or seriousness in demeanor.
What does ‘rather provincial in his speech’ imply about the character?
It implies an arrogance or sense of self-importance
This suggests a lack of sophistication and perhaps a tendency to dominate conversations.
Fill in the blank: The character may be someone who likes the _______.
sound of their own voice
This indicates a potential for verbosity or narcissism in communication.
What is the character’s attitude towards his achievements?
He is proud of his achievements.
This pride is linked to his desire for social status and recognition.
How does the character try to impress Gerald?
By buying the port he knows Gerald’s father drinks and informing him of the likelihood of his pending knighthood.
This reflects his obsequious nature and desire for approval.
What role does the character take in the opening exchanges?
He likes to educate the young in the ways of the world and dominates the conversations.
This indicates his self-perceived superiority and authority.
What are some beliefs that demonstrate the character’s arrogance and poor judgement?
- Community is a load of ‘nonsense’
- The Germans don’t want war
- The Titanic is ‘absolutely unsinkable’
These beliefs showcase his naivety and serve as dramatic irony in the narrative.
True or False: The character believes that the community is important.
False.
He dismisses the idea of community as ‘nonsense’.
Fill in the blank: The character’s belief that the Titanic is ‘_______’ reflects his arrogance.
[absolutely unsinkable]
This belief contributes to the dramatic irony of the story.
What does Arthur Birling claim to be?
A hard-headed, practical man of business
This statement reflects his pride and reinforces the theme of capitalism.
What does Birling say about the Titanic?
The Titanic is unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable
This showcases poor judgment and dramatic irony, as the play is written in 1946 but set in 1912.
How does Birling view community and responsibility?
‘Community and all that nonsense’
This quote illustrates his dismissive attitude towards socialist ideas and responsibility.
What does Birling believe a man has to do?
Mind his own business and look after himself and his own
This reinforces his capitalist views.
What metaphor does Birling use to express his anti-community position?
We’re not all mixed up like bees in a hive
This highlights his belief in individualism over collectivism.
What is Mr Birling’s social class?
Middle class.
Mr Birling’s social status has improved by marrying Mrs Birling, who is wealthy.
Why is Mr Birling happy about Sheila’s engagement to Gerald?
His business can merge with Crofts Limited.
How is Mr Birling characterized in terms of his beliefs about war and the Titanic?
Naïve and arrogant.
Mr Birling believes a war is impossible and that the Titanic won’t sink.
What is Mr Birling’s attitude towards community?
He thinks community is ‘nonsense’.
What is Mr Birling’s reaction to Eva’s death?
He shows no remorse.
Mr Birling is only concerned about not receiving a knighthood and his reputation.
How is the Inspector described in Act 2?
Very pompous and indignant
What positions has the character held?
- Power in local council
- Lord Mayor
- Magistrate
What does the attempt to control the conversation indicate?
His pompous nature
What phrase does the character use to emphasize his public status?
I’m a public man
What effect does the direct address ‘you’ have in the dialogue?
Adds gravitas to his authority
What does Priestley suggest about public men through the Inspector?
Public men have responsibilities
What does the reaction of the character in Act 3 reflect?
A childhood strop of insolence
What is ironic about the repetition of care in the character’s dialogue?
He only cares about his reputation
How does the character’s use of direct address affect the scene?
It adds fuel to his anger at the implications of the Inspector’s words
What does the character claim about caring?
You don’t seem to care about anything. But I care.
What does the character express certainty about in the next Honours List?
A knighthood
What does the mere mention of a knighthood suggest about the character?
It seems grandiose or indicates delusions of grandeur
How might Priestley be presenting the character of Birling?
As a caricature of the self-interested wealthy who care nothing for social responsibility
What do self-interested wealthy individuals seek according to Priestley’s portrayal?
Societal approval
What does J.B. Priestley highlight through Mr. Birling’s views?
Mr. Birling’s strong capitalist and individualistic views
This indicates a focus on self-interest over collective welfare.
What does the phrase ‘as if we were all mixed up together’ suggest about Mr. Birling’s beliefs?
Birling rejects the idea of social responsibility and collective welfare
This reflects his individualistic perspective.
How does Priestley compare society to bees in a hive?
It evokes an image of a highly organized, cooperative community
This contrasts with Birling’s belief in self-interest.
What does Birling dismiss as ‘nonsense’?
The model of society as bees working together for the survival of the hive
This dismissal reinforces his lack of empathy.
What does Birling’s dismissal of the hive model indicate about his attitude towards socialist ideals?
It shows his disdain for socialist ideals
Birling prioritizes competition over cooperation.
What does Birling’s sarcastic tone in ‘community and all that nonsense’ reflect?
His arrogance and ignorance
This reflects Birling’s dismissive attitude towards social responsibility.
What literary device does Priestley use to highlight Birling’s flaws?
Dramatic irony
The play is set in 1912 but performed in 1945, creating a contrast between the audience’s knowledge and Birling’s beliefs.
What is the significance of the play being set in 1912 but performed in 1945?
It emphasizes the flaws in Birling’s dismissal of collective responsibility
The audience would recognize the consequences of ignoring social responsibility after two world wars.
How would the audience’s experience of two world wars affect their perception of Birling?
They would see him as short-sighted and foolish
The audience understands the importance of cooperation and social responsibility due to historical context.
Who does Priestley use as a symbol of capitalism in the play?
Birling
Birling represents the failures of capitalism.
What does the Inspector advocate for in contrast to Birling?
Social justice
The Inspector’s role highlights the need for social responsibility.
What is one of the key messages of the play?
The importance of looking after one another in society.
What does Mr. Birling’s concern about a knighthood reveal?
His selfishness and obsession with status
This reflects Priestley’s critique of capitalist values.
What is Mr. Birling more concerned about than Eva Smith’s death?
His potential knighthood
This highlights his prioritization of reputation over morality.
What does Priestley criticize through Mr. Birling’s character?
Capitalist values
Mr. Birling embodies the flaws of capitalism, focusing on personal gain.
Fill in the blank: Mr. Birling’s prioritization of _______ over morality is a key theme.
reputation
True or False: Mr. Birling shows concern for the well-being of Eva Smith.
False
He is more focused on his own status and reputation.
What does the phrase ‘public scandal’ indicate about Birling’s feelings?
Birling is not truly remorseful for his actions; he is only worried about his social standing.
This reflects a self-centered nature and lack of responsibility.
What does the word ‘scandal’ imply in relation to Birling?
‘Scandal’ implies disgrace, indicating Birling’s fear of how others perceive him.
This suggests a focus on reputation over guilt.
What does Birling’s reaction to the scandal reveal about his character?
It reinforces his self-centered nature and inability to take responsibility.
He prioritizes social perception over genuine remorse.
What does the phrase ‘I was almost certain’ reflect about Birling?
Birling’s arrogance and entitlement
This phrase indicates Birling’s belief in his own superiority and the certainty of his success.
What mindset does Birling embody according to Priestley?
The capitalist mindset
Priestley critiques this mindset as one that prioritizes wealth and influence over ethical considerations.
What does Birling’s concern about losing a knighthood symbolize?
Prestige
His focus on prestige rather than the consequences of his actions highlights his values.
What does Birling’s moral blindness illustrate?
His lack of concern for the human cost of his actions
This moral blindness is a key critique of his character in the context of social responsibility.
What flaw does Priestley emphasize in the upper classes?
Their prioritization of power over ethics
This is depicted through the character of Birling.
How does dramatic irony play a role in the audience’s understanding?
The audience is aware of the post-war shift towards greater social responsibility
This contrasts with Birling’s outdated views.
What is Priestley’s key message regarding self-interest?
Self-interest must be replaced by collective responsibility
This is essential for creating a fairer society.
What does Birling’s obsession with status represent?
It is seen as shallow and outdated
This perception is reinforced by the context of the play.
Fill in the blank: Priestley uses dramatic irony to highlight the flaws of the _______.
[upper classes]
True or False: Priestley believes that individual self-interest is necessary for a fair society.
False
He advocates for collective responsibility instead.
