Mr Birling Flashcards
Overview
Mr Birling, the patriarch of the Birling family, is a character who represents the hubristic, arrogant older generation of the upper classes during the Edwardian era. He is a construct designed by Priestley to showcase the negative aspects of capitalism through his unlikeable personality, in a bid to guide the audience into forming a more equal and caring society devoid of class prejudice.
Quotes
‘Heavy looking rather portentous man’ - Pg 1
‘For lower costs and higher prices’ - Pg 4
‘I don’t like your tone nor the way your handling this inquiry’ - Pg 33
‘I’d Give thousands - yes, thousands’ - Pg 56
‘Heavy looking rather portentous man’
Point - Mr Birling is presented as arrogant, suggesting his inflated sense of self-importance and narrow-minded outlook.
Choice - The description of Mr. Birling as ‘heavy-looking’ suggests both physical weight and metaphorical dominance, emphasizing his overbearing nature and authority. The adjective ‘portentous’ conveys self-importance and pomposity, implying that Birling sees himself as wise and significant. However, Priestley uses this ironically to foreshadow his flawed judgment and ignorance.
Effect - By presenting Birling as a character who assumes wisdom but later reveals arrogance and a lack of insight, Priestley critiques the overconfidence of the upper class. This characterisation reinforces the theme of misguided authority and highlights the need for greater self-awareness and social responsibility.
‘For lower costs and higher prices’
Point - Priestley presents Mr Birling as selfish and inconsiderate, prioritising business and financial gain over family relationships.
Choice - He interrupts his daughter’s engagement speech to focus on the economic benefits of the union, stating he ‘looks forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings… are working together – for lower costs and higher prices.’ This highlights his capitalist mindset, where profit outweighs personal happiness.
Effect - Birling’s desire for ‘lower costs’ and ‘higher prices’ reinforces his exploitative nature, keeping the working class in a submissive position. Through Birling, Priestley critiques unchecked capitalism and promotes his socialist views, urging the audience to consider the need for a more equal and fair society.
‘I don’t like your tone nor the way your handling this inquiry’
Point - Mr Birling is presented as arrogant and self-interested, reflecting his prioritisation of status and power over personal accountability.
Choice - Mr. Birling’s statement, “I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this inquiry,” reveals his arrogance and self-importance. The use of the personal pronoun “I” highlights his self-centred nature, as he prioritizes his authority and reputation over moral responsibility. His defensiveness suggests that he fears the inquiry will damage his social standing.
Effect - Priestley uses Birling’s reaction to critique the upper class’s obsession with status and power. By showing Birling’s refusal to accept accountability, Priestley exposes the selfishness of capitalist and patriarchal attitudes, urging the audience to reject such complacency and embrace social responsibility.
‘I’d Give thousands - yes, thousands’
Point - Mr Birling is presented as believing that wealth can absolve guilt, highlighting his capitalist mindset and disregard for genuine moral accountability.
Choice - Mr. Birling’s statement, “I’d give thousands—yes, thousands,” reveals his belief that wealth can absolve him of guilt and responsibility. This highlights his capitalist mindset, where money is seen as a solution rather than genuine moral accountability. The irony lies in his willingness to offer money when it is too late, contrasting with his earlier refusal to pay Eva a fair wage.
Effect - Birling’s reaction reflects the selfishness of the upper class, who prioritize wealth and status over the well-being of others. Priestley critiques this materialistic attitude, showing that social responsibility cannot be bought. This reinforces the play’s moral message: true integrity comes from accepting responsibility, not from financial power.
