Mr Birling Flashcards
1
Q
Mr Birling Essay Structure
A
- Power 2. Responsibility 3. Capitalism vs Socialism
2
Q
Quotes for Power
A
- Birling tells Gerald the “port” he is using is “the same port your father gets”
- “Lord Mayor” and “Alderman”
- “Wretched girl’s suicide “
- “Had to go”
3
Q
Quotes for Responsibility
A
- “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself”
- “Chain of events”, “insides burnt out”
- “Each of you helped to kill her”
4
Q
Quotes for Capitalism vs Socialism
A
- “The Titanic” is “unsinkable” and “the Germans don’t want war”
- “We don’t live alone”
- “Fire, blood and anguish”
5
Q
Birling tells Gerald the “port” he is using is “the same port your father gets”
A
- noun “port”
- > attempting to climb social ladder
- > “port” considered expensive drink, especially to 1945 audience, reserved for upper class
- Birling = insecure due to lower class than Gerald
- > Priestley setting social hierarchy in 1912
6
Q
“Lord Mayor” and “Alderman”
A
Point - Socially Elite abused their power
- veiled threat
- important roles such as “Lord Mayor” only went to the socially elite
7
Q
“Wretched girl’s suicide “
A
Point - gulf between the ‘disenfranchised working classes’ and ‘upper class, whom seem to believe their actions lack consequences
- Arguably, present Birling as an unsympathetic character to an audience
- adjective “wretched” implies he lacks any sense of empathy for working class (represented by Eva) - instead views them with prejudice
Priestley shows how ingrained attitudes towards working class could have terrible consequences -Audience aware that in 1926, factory workers (like Eva) went on strike, whilst in 1912, bosses like Birling had all power (GOES INTO NEXT QUOTE)
8
Q
“Had to go”
A
Priestley emphasises how bosses had all power
- emotive verb “had” reinforces workers had no power + all attempts to gain power were suppressed
- Play set during Suffragette movement -> women like Eva viewed as dangerous for campaigning against the misogynistic attitudes of the time
- > no welfare state in 1912 -> suggested that Eva/Daisy Renton turned to prostitution as failure to secure lodgings
9
Q
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself”
A
- noun “man” is interesting as Pirestly subtly reinforcing misogynistic attitudes. Alt, just natural way of speaking
- Arguably, comments against social responsibility triggers Inspectors arrival
- > Inspector scrutinises actions in moral rather than legality
10
Q
“Chain of events”, “insides burnt out”
A
- Inspector tries to make Birling realise he started a “chain” and thus, is responsible
- Still, educates family collectively in a “chain”
- highly emotive language, “insides burnt out”, reminds family (+ audience) of terrible consequences
11
Q
“Each of you helped to kill her”
A
- Priestley emphasises idea of collective blame
- perhaps, showing no one can escape blame
- Nevertheless, Birling refuses responsibility making audience view him negatively
- Birling represents older generation + outdated, selfish views
- > clearly contrasted by younger generation, more accepting of socialist ideals the Inspector presents
- Priestley telling 1945 audience that socialism is the future of contemporary society
12
Q
“The Titanic” is “unsinkable” and “the Germans don’t want war”
A
-presented as a foolish character with the use of dramatic irony
- 1945 and modern audience would be aware:
- > Titanic sunk 1912 + 2 World Wars
- > Titanic could be metaphor for inequality in British Society in 1912 - warning for possible catastrophes in the futurue
13
Q
“We don’t live alone”
A
Repetition to emphasise socialist views
- Inspector in direct opposition/contrast to individualistic + selfish views of Birling.
- > Inspector = ‘wise man’ & symbol of reason that audience should, Priestley expects audience to accept his viewpoint
- 1st Person Inclusive Pronoun “we” -> reinforcing society as a collective
- Priestley indirectly educates audience to persuade towards socialism
14
Q
“Fire, blood and anguish”
A
- Biblical language in the form of tripling
- These adjectives instil fear in the audience to stop following Capitalist beliefs
- > may even view Birling as a character deserving Hell
15
Q
Intro for Mr Birling Essay
A
Priestley uses the character of Mr Birling…
- to show the social inequality during the Post-Edwardian Era
- Explore themes such as responsibiliy, appearance and reality
- convey his own socialist beliefs by portraying Birling’s capitalist beliefs as outdated + foolish
