Mr Birling

Question 1

‘We play ______________________ sometimes’ - act 1

Answer 1

‘Golf together’ - he tries to intimidate the inspector but it doesn’t work. Tries to show his POWER against the inspector because he knows the police constable. The inspector is nonplussed by this - humiliates Mr Birling

Question 2

‘Take your ______ along’

Answer 2

‘Mother’ - thinks Mrs Birling cannot handle the harsh themes within the room. Shows how GENDER was viewed at the time - patriarchal society

Question 3

‘_______________ old man’

Answer 3

‘Purple-faced’ - stereotypical way of how snobbish and self centred people were viewed in a higher CLASS. Reflects how Priestley wants the audience to see him as a horrible man

Question 4

‘My duty to keep ________________________’

Answer 4

‘Labour costs down’ - shows his CAPITALIST mindset and how he thinks it is his duty because of his AGE and to keep his business running

Question 5

‘Lower _______ and higher _______’

Answer 5

‘Costs’ and ‘prices’ - shows his CAPITALIST mindset again and how his only purpose is to make his business profitable. Shows his selfish, self-centred nature.

Question 6

‘Like ______ in a hive’

Answer 6

‘Bees’ - simile - shows how socialist people have a SHARED SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY for each other. His choice of words suggests that he is mocking them and thinks that they cannot do anything to change society

Question 7

‘______________ practical man of business’

Answer 7

‘Hard-headed’ - shows his CAPITALIST mindset again. He thinks he should have special privileges for working hard and how he is set in his ways and shall never really change his ideology.

Question 8

‘With ________________ of tone’

Answer 8

‘Marked change’ - reveals he doesn’t really care about his family because as soon as the inspector moves on he tries to gather himself back together and act like nothing has happened

Question 9

‘Rather ___, ________’ - stage direction

Answer 9

‘Hot, bothered’ - shows his lack of composure for someone of such a high status - shows his slightly lower class background. The inspector (socialism) has successfully intimidated him. Audience can see socialism is beating capitalism (Birling). Lack of POWER within the room when the inspector is around

Question 10

‘I’ve got to _______________ as soon as I can’

Answer 10

‘Cover this up’ - not accepting RESPONSIBILITY and trying to forget about it. Opposite to his children because of the new generation, which reveals the difference in their views because of their AGE. More worried about his public image than his son’s situation.