Mr Birling Flashcards
“nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along.”
His relationship with Sheila.
Doesn’t let Sheila get involved.
Treats her like a child(before rights for women)
Doesn’t believe in her/doesn’t think she’ll understand.
Sheila is a lucky girl - and I think you’re a pretty fortunate young man too, Gerald.”
His relationship with Sheila.
Calls her a girl - not a woman. Doesn’t see her as grown up woman or mature.
Calls Gerald a man showing that he thinks is Gerald is stronger -more powerful. Shows gender roles.
“We shall be along in a minute now. Just finishing.”
His relationship with Sheila.
Doesn’t allow her to be involved.
In a way tells her to stay put.
“(Pointing to Eric and Sheila) Now look at the pair of them - the famous younger generation who think they know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.”
His relationship with Eric and Sheila
Thinks he’s better than his children.
Thinks he knows best and doesn’t listen to his children.
Ignorance and arrogance towards Eric and Sheila.
“Let me finish, Eric”
His relationship with Eric
Wants respect from Eric and he is the head of family - assertive
Doesn’t lime interruptions
Only wants to hear himself
“(Angrily) I don’t want any of that talk from you”
His relationship with Eric
He doesn’t believe in Eric
“There’s a fair chance that I might find my way into the next Honours List.’ Just a knighthood, of course’-‘But it’s a bit too early for that. So don’t say anything.”
His relationship with Gerald
Being arrogant
Trying to show he is as good or better than Gerald as Gerald comes from a wealthy family.
Trying to show he is good enough but comes of as arrogant
“Gerald: (lightly) Eric’s probably been up to something(nodding confidentially to Birling.)and that would be awkward, wouldn’t it?
Mr Birling: (humorously) very.
His relationship with Gerald
Humorous, they get on well
They gang up on Eric together.
Think they’re both better than others
‘I don’t like your tone’
His reaction the inspector
Looks down in the inspector as he thinks he is superior to the inspector.
Also because no one has talked to him like that before so he is wants to show the inspector that he has more power.
I know the Burnley police officers pretty well”
“Have a glass of port - or a little whisky?”
His reaction to the inspector
Trying to bribe and intimidate the inspector
Isn’t really bothered by him
“(unhappily) Look, Inspector - I’d give thousands - yes, thousands -“
His reaction at the end
Still hasn’t learnt his lesson
Wouldn’t even pay extra shillings to Eva yet attempts to bribe the inspector.
“There’ll be a public scandal!”
His reaction at the end.
Feels no guilt
Cares more about himself and self image
Still has ideas of self help and hasn’t learnt anything
