Mr Birling Flashcards
“You ought to like this port, Gerald. It’s exactly the same port your father gets.”
The verb “ought” reveals Mr Birling’s insecurities regarding social status; he is hesitant to command Gerald like he would command Eric.
“Provincial in his speech.”
“Provincial” - adjective which means to be narrow-minded. Foreshadows his inability to change his mindset and beliefs.
“… for lower costs and higher prices.”
Priestley seamlessly fuses assertive language with juxtaposition.
Presents him as an injudicious character with negligible regards for the working class.
Dismissive attitude towards workers shows he lacks compassion for lower class.
“…mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense.”
The simile “like bees in a hive” is an attempt to trivialise the concept of socialism.
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
Intensifier ‘absolutley’, shows complete confidence in his judgement.
Dramatic irony portrays him as ignorant and idiotic.
Repetition of the word “unsinkable” demonstrates his poor judgement and further reinforces the idea that he is untrustworthyand idiotic.
“It’s my duty to keep labour costs down”
Priestley uses the noun “duty” to emphasise Mr Birling’s dedication to capitalism and profit.
“If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.”
The hyperbole of “asking for the earth” is an attempt by Mr Birling to explain his rejection of Eva Smith’s pay rise.
However, the absurdity of people “asking for the earth” reflects the absurdity of Mr Birling’s refusal to pay a decent wage.
“Probably a socialist or some sort of crank”
The noun “crank” is an attempt by Mr Birling to condemn socialism, however, Priestley’s use of dramatic irony causes the audience to oppose Mr Birling’s views and therefore sympathise with socialists.
