MR BIRLING Flashcards
1) “The Titanic… unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.
At the beginning of An Inspector Calls, J.B. Priestley presents Mr Birling as a pompous and self-assured character, whose arrogance reflects his capitalist ideals and ignorance. This is immediately apparent in his confident declaration, “The Titanic… unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” The repetition of “unsinkable” emphasises his unwavering belief in his own opinions, yet this statement is dramatically ironic, as the audience knows the Titanic famously sank. This irony highlights Birling’s naivety and flawed judgment, undermining his authority. Priestley uses this to symbolise how the capitalist ideology he represents is similarly destined to fail, aligning with Priestley’s socialist message.
2) “a man has to make his own way—has to look after himself.”
Another key moment that reveals Mr Birling’s character is when he claims, “a man has to make his own way—has to look after himself.” The repetition of “has to” suggests his rigid and selfish mindset, showing how he prioritises individual success over collective responsibility. His dismissive tone implies he has no regard for others, which contrasts with the Inspector’s later message of social responsibility. Priestley uses Mr Birling’s speech to critique the attitudes of the upper class, portraying him as a symbol of greed and ignorance to encourage the audience to adopt more progressive, socialist views
- “If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
- “If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?”
This shows that Mr Birling doesn’t believe in taking responsibility for others and thinks the idea is ridiculous. The adjective “awkward” makes it sound like he’s brushing off the idea of caring about others, which shows how selfish and uncaring he is. The rhetorical question makes it seem like he thinks he’s right and doesn’t expect anyone to argue with him. Priestley uses this to show how people like Mr Birling refuse to take responsibility, making the audience realise how harmful that attitude can be.
7) “There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did.”
“There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did.”
Mr Birling’s attempt to justify his and Mrs Birling’s actions here shows how he avoids taking personal responsibility for the events leading to Eva Smith’s death. The phrase “every excuse” is used to shift the blame away from them and suggest that they had no choice, which highlights his lack of remorse. The use of “your mother and I” also spreads the blame, which shows that he is more focused on defending himself and his wife than on acknowledging the harm they caused. This line emphasises Birling’s arrogance, as he refuses to admit any fault. Priestley contrasts his behaviour with the Inspector’s, who demands honesty and accountability, making Birling’s attitude seem increasingly morally corrupt. This helps set up the tension between the older and younger generations, with the younger ones more willing to change and accept responsibility.
6) “I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can
- “I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can.”
This moment reveals just how much Mr Birling values his reputation above everything else. The phrase “cover this up” suggests deceit and manipulation, showing that Birling’s first instinct is to avoid the truth rather than confront it. His urgency in saying “as soon as I can” shows his desperation to protect his social standing, indicating how shallow and self-serving he is. Priestley uses this line to criticise people who prioritise their public image and wealth over doing what is right. The audience is meant to see Birling as someone who would rather avoid accountability than take responsibility for his actions, which reflects a key theme of the play: the dangers of ignoring social responsibility. This attitude is sharply contrasted with the Inspector, who seeks to expose the truth and bring justice, regardless of social status.
5) you’ll apologise at once, I’m a public man
This line demonstrates Mr Birling’s arrogance and sense of superiority. The command “You’ll apologise at once” highlights his belief that he can control others, especially those he considers below him. He expects immediate compliance because he is “a public man,” which reflects his sense of entitlement and belief that his social status makes him untouchable. The phrase “public man” suggests that he thinks his position in society shields him from any criticism or wrongdoing, which reveals his shallow and self-centred worldview. Priestley uses this line to show how the upper classes, like Mr Birling, believe their wealth and power make them immune to the consequences of their actions. This attitude is one of the reasons Birling is presented as so morally flawed, and the audience is meant to view him with increasing disapproval as the play unfolds.
8)”The whole thing’s different now. Come on, Mr. Croft, you’re the one I want to see.”
“The whole thing’s different now. Come on, Mr. Croft, you’re the one I want to see.”
At the end of the play, Mr Birling is shown to be completely dismissive of the moral lessons the Inspector tries to teach. This quote highlights his self-centred attitude and his obsession with status. The phrase, “The whole thing’s different now,” reveals that Mr Birling doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions but only about how things look from a social perspective. The fact that he immediately wants to speak to Mr. Croft, someone who represents wealth and power, emphasises his prioritisation of social connections over personal responsibility. This use of direct speech highlights Birling’s arrogance and his belief that everything can be fixed if his social status is restored. The exclamation “Come on” reflects his impatience and lack of respect for the Inspector’s work.
4) “I’m a public man – and I’ve got to keep these things to myself.”
“I’m a public man – and I’ve got to keep these things to myself.”
This quote comes after Mr Birling has learned that his family’s reputation could be in jeopardy. The phrase “I’m a public man” shows how Mr Birling sees himself as a figure of authority and status, and he believes that maintaining appearances is more important than moral integrity. The verb “keep” in this context suggests that he’s trying to control information to protect his social standing. By saying he must “keep these things to myself,” Birling is trying to silence the truth, showing his tendency to conceal the consequences of his actions rather than facing them. The possessive pronoun “myself” shows how he is solely focused on his own interests, and the tone of this quote highlights his hypocrisy and lack of accountability. He refuses to accept the idea that personal morality should be more important than public image.
