Mr Birling- Key Quotations Flashcards
“We may look forward to a time where crofts and birlings are no longer competing but working together- for lower costs and higher prices”
This quotation shows that Mr Birling is a capitalist. He is referencing that Sheila and Gerald’s marriage may form a partnership between the rival companies. Also, it shows he wants to charge people the most amount of money for the littlest investment
“A hard headed, practical man of business”
This shows Birling’s confidence and narcissism. He sees himself as strong and practical, but in reality that is just him being stingy and cruel. It also means that he is hard to persuade, making him arrogant and biased
“I gather there is a very good chance of a knighthood- so long as we behave ourselves and don’t get into the police court or start a scandals eh?”
Birling shows his slightly criminal side when he says this. It shows how he wants to keep up his good reputation, and if any information got out about the case, it would ruin his reputation and chances at a knighthood and partnership with crofts
“Cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody had to look after everybody else, as if were all mixed up together like bees in a hive- community and that nonsense”
This quote shows how he is a capitalist, and believes that socialism is like a disease. It also represents his cruel nature, that he doesn’t want to share his wealth with others or help anyone. Birling puts himself on a pedestal and does not respect those he thinks are beneath him
“Still, I can’t accept any responsibility”
This quote represents how Birling is constantly in denial and does not want to damage his reputation. He believes that Eva is below him and therefore her death was not caused by his actions as he is ‘too good of a person’ to force someone to suicide
“Eva Smith… she had a lot to say- far too much- so she had to go”
This quote shows that Birling tries to silence those who speak against him, despite that being the truth. This is yet another example of him being controlling, as he attacks those who have an opinion against him to maintain his reputation
“There’ll be a public scandal!”
This quote shows Birling’s weakness. He begins to get desperate as his reputation is at risk of being damaged
(Angrily) “There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did”
This again is Birling attacking those who question his methods and threaten his reputation. His children feel he is being emotionless once discovering Eva is not dead, whilst they are heartbroken they could have caused such a thing
“But the whole things different now. Come, you can see that can’t you?”
This shows Birling’s indifference to Eva’s life. Dead or alive, he denies his involvement and cares only for his reputation.
