Mr Birling Flashcards
What is Mr Birling used as a vehicle to?
To criticise upper class employers who exploit their workers. - and to criticise the older generation of the early 19th century who are reluctant to accept responsibility for their actions and change their morals as a result of it
Initially… (quote 1) how is he initially described?
“Hard headed business man, rather provincial in his speech”
- this exposes the fact that he is seen as a business man, not a father or a husband which highlights his lack of empathy and his prioritisation of monetary gain.
- “provincial in his speech” highlights the fact that he is not of the upper class, but actually married a lady of the upper class, which highlights the fact that marriage was seen as a means of social leverage and advancement.
Initially… (quote 2) what does he say about war and the titanic
“Nobody wants war” and “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”
- a contemporary audience would be well aware that Mr Birling was completely wrong, because the audience would have seen the Titanic sink and endure two world wars. This discredits mr Birling and any future claims that he makes
Initially… (quote 3)- what does he say about supporting himself and his family?
“a man has to make his own way—has to look after himself—and his family”
-Mr Birlings core capitalist value are highlighted here, he shows a lack of concern for the rest of society and is very self concerned
However as the text develops point
He is exposed to show a lack of remorse for the death of Eva Smith and accepts no responsibility for her death.
Initially point
He is presented as a stereotypical upperclass business man who also embodies key capitalist views as a business owner in a patriarchal society. He also shows an explicit prioritisation of the public perceptions of him over righteousness
Ultimately point
He is exposed to prioritise covering up his actions as opposed to accepting responsibility for it and showing genuine atonement for his sin
Ultimately… (quote 1) what does he say about his next action in terms of protecting his reputation?
“I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can”
- he is more bothered about his reputation that showing genuine remorse for the death of Eva Smith
Ultimately… (quote 2) how does he attempt to cover it up?
“Look, Inspector - I’d give thousands - yes, thousands -“
-ironic because he would not spare a couple of shillings for Eva Smith but would now spare thousands in order to silence the inspector.
Ultimately… (quote 3)-how does he respond when he finds out that the inspector wasn’t real?
“ we’ve been had, that all”
-after it is revealed that this wasn’t a real inspector, it is exposed that Birling learnt nothing and is still only bothered about his reputation and doesn’t care that a vulnerable young girl died
However… (quote 1) what does he say about accepting responsibility?
“I can’t accept responsibility”
- he explicitly states that he is not willing to accept responsibility for the death of Eva Smith, causing the audience to further disassociate themselves from Mr Birling and his actions
