Mr Birling

Question 1

Mr Birling Quote 1

Answer 1

Act 1
“been friendly rivals in business… and now you’ve brought us together… for lower costs and higher prices”

lexical field of money “business”, “prices” , “costs” , emphasise his priority as a capitalist business man, Priestley presents him as selfish and egocentric in his pursuit of profit and benefit to himself, views the engagement as a business transaction.

Question 2

Mr Birling quote 2

Answer 2

Act 1
“as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive- community and all that nonsense”

Zoomorphism (giving human animal qualities): he degrades and mocks the lower class being alike ‘bees’ and trivialises community and interconnected responsibility

The use of hyphen prompts a theatrical pause where the Mr birling hesitates reflecting his physical repulsion to concept of “community” where he even has an inability to verbalise

Question 3

Mr Birling quote 3

Answer 3

act 2 “‘Now, Sheila, I’m, not defending him. But you must understand that a lot of young men”

he attempts to excuse Gerald’s unfaithfulness, revealing a lack of genuine concern for his daughter’s feelings. This suggests that Birling prioritises maintaining business ties over Sheila’s emotional well-being, highlighting his transactional view of marriage. It also reflects the reinforcement of gender stereotypes, where male infidelity is normalised and women are expected to tolerate it.

Question 4

Mr Birling quote 4

Answer 4

“There’ll be a public scandal – unless we’re lucky – and who here will suffer for that more than I will?”

This shows Birling’s selfishness. Instead of acknowledging the consequences of his actions on Eva Smith, he is only worried about his own reputation and the potential scandal affecting his business and social status.

Question 5

Mr Birling quote 5

Answer 5

“The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke” – Act 3

Birling mocks his children for feeling guilty and learning from the Inspector’s lesson. This quote reinforces his ignorance and arrogance, showing that he refuses to change, while Sheila and Eric have developed a sense of social responsibility.