Mr Birling Flashcards
Key quotes on Mr Birling
ACT 1: ‘A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself – and his family too’
Priestley uses Birling to highlight selfish capitalist views.
Right before Inspector Goole arrives, Birling is seen trying to educate Gerald and Eric on how he feels the world should work – he encourages them to only think about themselves and not to help anyone else in society.
He feels that people can only be responsible for themselves – he feels that everyone is responsible for their own fate.
He thinks if people fail, it is their own fault.
ACT 1: ‘I can’t accept any responsibility’
Throughout the play, Mr Birling refuses to accept that he played any part in Eva Smith’s death.
- He argues that his involvement with Eva was so small and unimportant that it could not have led to her death.
- He implies that Eva’s misfortune was her own fault.
Birling shows upper-class pre-war attitudes of denial (not accepting blame) and refusing to acknowledge the consequences that their actions had on lower-class people.
