Mr Birling (Key Themes And Quotes) Flashcards
What ideology does Mr Birling support?
Capitalism
Mr Birling and Social responsibility
Mr Birling refuses to accept social responsibility throughout the whole of AIC.
Quotes which demonstrate Mr Birling’s attitude to social responsibility
‘I can’t accept any responsibility’
‘A man has to make his own way- has to look after himself’
‘Community and all that nonsense’
Mr Birling’s relationship with Gerald Croft
Mr Birling clearly shows that Gerald is like the son he always wanted.
Mr Birling and the class system (social hierarchy)
Mr Birling was born into a middle class family but has earnt money for himself.
Mr Birling is about to receive a knighthood
Mr Birling is insecure in his social position.
Mrs Birling and Gerald are both his social superior.
Why does Mr Birling want Sheila to marry Gerald?
For the economic benefit of Gerald being a part of his family.
He wants Birling and company to combine with Crofts Limited.
Mr Birling attitude to family
Mr Birling values business more than family
Structure of the character Mr Birling
He has a cyclical presentation - his opinions do not change throughout
Static nature
Quotes about Mr Birling and a Knighthood
‘There’s a very good chance of a knighthood’
Mr Birling and Dramatic irony
Throughout AIC Mr Birling makes a number of claims about what will happen in the future in the world. The audience who would have been watching the play in 1945 will know that many of Birling’s claims are wrong which creates Dramatic irony which makes Birling look like a foolish character at times.
Quotes from Mr Birling which have dramatic irony
‘The Germans don’t want war’ ( they went to war two years later🙈)
‘Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’( referring to the titanic which did infact sink 🙃)
‘A time of steadily increased prosperity’ ( the great depression followed)
‘The way some of these cranks talk’ ( mocking the people who said there would be a war and there in fact was a war
Mr Birling’s attitude towards Eva Smith
Had her removed from his factory for asking for higher wages
Shows no compassion for her even when she has died
More concerned about the consequences for him than the fact that she died
Quotes which show Birling’s attitude towards Eva Smith
‘The wretched girls suicide’
‘Public scandal’
Mr Birling relationship with the Inspector
Mr Birling tries to be dominant and assert control over the inpector
Mr Birling tries to intimidate the inspector
Quotes which show Mr Birling trying too intimidate the inspector
‘We play golf together’ - Birling is saying that him and the Inspectors superior office play golf together so the Inspector should listen to what he says
