Mr Birling - Key Quotations Flashcards
Analyse the quotation ‘___________ in his speech’
provincial
This implies that he has middle class origins and made his way up to the upper classes, and perhaps he comes from the countryside. This is a presentation of the capitalist mindset, being ‘self-made’.
He wants to change his form of speech in order to appeal to different characters depending on class, for example Gerald
Analyse the quotation - ‘____tentous’
port
This indicates that he views himself as important, and similar to stereotype is ‘stuck-up’, this is despite him being in the presence of his social superiors, showing how capitalism, from Priestley’s point of view, breeds arrogance and overconfidence, and a lack or empathy for others.
Analyse the stage direction - ‘(rather __________)’
impatiently
This indicates that Mr Birling listening to a person with opposing views irritates him and he despises being interrogated. This is another indication that he is self-important and selfish.
Analyse the quotation - ‘_____ costs and higher ______’
lower, prices
This phrase shows that Mr Birling’s main priority is generating profit, rather than his family, as he says this during his wedding speech for Gerald and Sheila.
Analyse the stage direction - ‘(______struck)’
thunder
His shock at the revelation of Eric being an alcoholic and rapist shows his lack of connection with his children, implying his selfish nature due to his capitalist mindset.
Analyse the quotation - ‘I’m a ______ man’
public
Mr Birling’s fixation on image indicates the selfish and materialistic nature of capitalism and his nature. This further implies the view that materialism breeds destruction and the only way to bring people together is by leaving capitalism and its lack of empathy behind, from Priestley’s point of view.
Analyse the quotation - ‘_______ impudence’
damned
Mr Birling doesn’t respond like this to Eva’s death, but at the fact that a lower class girl does not have complete respect for them even if her situation is periless.
Analyse the stage direction - ‘(looks __________)’
gloomily
Mr Birling is distraught at the thought of a public scandal due to Eric’s actions, due to his attachment to his reputation.
Analyse the stage direction - ‘(_________ inspector in his _____ speech)’
imitating, final
The fact he doesn’t take the Inspector seriously indicates he has learned nothing from his actions due to his capitalist mindset and thus will never change. It is also a fulfilment of the ‘prophetic’ speech of fire, blood and anguish.
Analyse the quotation - ‘it _____ all the ________’
makes, difference
The fact that Mr Birling feels that the fact he will be free from charge is the most important part of the story shows his inability to change his mindset, as this will not prevent him from changing his mindset towards others, and in hindsight, this is the reason for the war and destruction that followed 1912.
‘it’s my ____ to keep _____ costs down’
duty, labour
His priority is not a moral conscience but a monetary conscience, showing the immoral fruits of capitalism
‘a ___ has to mind his own ________’
man, business
He prioritises himself and his monetary desires, showing the immorality of capitalism from Priestley’s POV.
‘I ____ accept any ________’
can’t, responsibility
Despite perhaps hinting he has sympathy, the position he holds in society restricts his conscience from expressing itself - criticising capitalism
