mr birling Flashcards
1 “not only something to make ‘em look prettier – but – well, a sort of sign or token of their self-respect”
-MB is mouthpiece for a stereotypical view of women - explains to G that clothes have a deeper meaning for girls
-collectivises women suggesting he doesn’t see them individually
-epitomises male gaze suggesting women’s sole purpose is be “prettier”
-colloquial abbreviation “em” + “sort of” could depict how he didn’t take women seriously as he speaks about them in an offhand manner
-ironic: S’s confrontation was centred around clothes - makes audience questions if MB has projected his patriarchal + misogynistic views onto S
1 “obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl’s suicide”
-MB’s reasoning is ignorant + illogical, yet his use of the adverb “obviously” shows his arrogant defensiveness
-his inability to display any kind of remorse is reflective of the stubbornness of the older generations - doesn’t allow there to be any question of him being responsible - shows unorthodox emotion
-apostrophe on “girl’s” shows he believed suicide belonged to her + didn’t involve him; more macabre matters were possessions of working class
2 “[rather hot, bothered]”
-despite MB physically being distressed, he proceeds to try + be ignorant to his family’s unscrupulousness - indoctrinated by capitalist idea that his ‘public image’ is more integral than morality
-his “bother” provides a glimmer of hope that he will listen however he retreats to his capitalist ways
-inspector is unable to change stagnancy + obstinate in characters where capitalism is deeply ingrained
2 “is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector?”
-possessive pronoun “my” is a means of him establishing control to elevate himself
-use of a rhetorical question paints MB as patronising, he’s in a power struggle with the inspector
-immediately resorts to aggression + disrespect to win the social battle portraying him as undeserving of respect
3 “There’ll be a public scandal… and who here will suffer for that more than I will?”
-use of question is an attempt from MB to evoke pity + sympathy
-exposes his hypocrisy as he exhibited no sympathy for E
-verb “suffer” is hyperbolic + melodramatic - proves he is self-centred
-highlights how he is incapable of feeling guilt as he is too preoccupied with the “public” repercussions
-repetition of “public” throughout play is used to show how closely intertwined wealth + reputation were
3 “the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke”
-his callousness is apparent through both his acerbic tone + ability to dismiss the notion of suicide + exploitation of working classes as a “joke”
-ridicules his own children, yet it’s ironic as he is the only character who claims to “know it all” with his mentions of the “unsinkable” Titanic + “silly little war scares”
-priestley encourages younger generation to reject beliefs of their parents
