Mr Birling Flashcards
Only sees the marriage as business opportunity
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. (Act 1)
prides himself of being a business man
As a hard-headed business man, who has to take risks and know what he’s about – I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk (Act 1)
Complacency is important to note as he has no idea about the revelations that are soon to come his way
he looks like an idiot
’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man. So – well – I gather there’s a very good chance of a knighthood – so long as we behave ourselves, don’t get into the police court or start a scandal – eh?(Act 1)
is very against comradeship, like socialism, wants rich to get richer and poor to become poorer
the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. (Act 1
Mr. Birling dismisses the idea that we should look out for one another and help each other to do better.
Still, I can’t accept any responsibility. 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? (Act 1)
he doesn’t think about the workers as people, he doesn’t like them having an opinion
This girl. Eva Smith, was one of them, she’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go. (Act 1)
Mr Birling believes in class-division and this is how he justifies his actions.
Rubbish! If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth. (Act 1)
once he is called out he doesn’t like it and starts sowing anger towards the inspector
(angrily) Inspector, I’ve told you before, I don’t like the tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry. And I don’t propose to give you much rope. (act 2)
This highlights his selfishness; he holds no regard to Eva’s suicide and is only worried about the ruining of his reputation and wealth.
(dubiously) I must say, Sybil, that when this comes out at the inquest, it isn’t going to do us much good. The press might easily take it up—(Act 2)
has no care about the suicide he caused
You must give me a list of those accounts. I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can. (act 3)
Mr Birling is only scared about his public reputation.
(angrily) Yes, and you don’t realize yet all you’ve done. Most of this is bound to come out. There’ll be a public scandal. (act 3)
doesn’t believe he deserves any blame, blinded by his high class
(angrily) Drop that. There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did (Act 3)
Priestley wanted his message clear. We dislike Birling but like the Inspector, and so, the audience are inclined to adopt more Socialist views.
That fellow obviously didn’t like us. He was prejudiced from the start. Probably a socialist or some sort of crank – he talked like one. And then, instead of standing up to him, you let him bluff you into talking about your private affairs. (Act 3)
he believes that just because she’s not dead then he’s done nothing wrong
(triumphantly) There you are! Proof positive. The whole story’s just a lot of moonshine. Nothing but an elaborate sell! (Act 3)
Shows disrespect to both the Inspector and to his children by mimicking him
(jovially) But the whole thing’s different now. Come, come, you can see that, can’t you? (Imitating Inspector in his final speech.) You all helped to kill her. (pointing at Sheila and Eric, and laughing.) and I wish you could have seen the look on your faces when he said that. (Act 3)
