Mr Birling Quotes Flashcards
‘Now you have brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to a time when Crofts and Birling are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices’
Takes a marital union into social + economical advancement
Totally relegates the value of love, happiness and compatibility
Treats his daughter as a bargaining chip that he can use and exploit
He is self-seeking as he is prioritising his financial gain over his daughters well-being
Lack of paternal affection = fails as a father
‘For lower costs and higher prices’ underpays and dehumanises his work force
Viewing everything through a capital lens
Willing to use and exploit anyone to advance socially
‘Us together’ uses collective pronouns however he is using them exclusively
‘Just let me finish Eric you’ve a lot to learn yet’
Infantilises and suppresses the voice of Eric
Shows how his house wants to be an echo of his views and beliefs
Eric says ‘Your not the kinda father a chap goes to when he’s in trouble
Shows his lack of paternal affection
Dismisses Eric’s well-being
‘Lady Croft - while she doesn’t object to my girl - feels you might have done better socially’
He is aware that this marriage is socially advantageous for his family and only for his family
Self-seeking behaviour
‘Done better’ makes marriage seem as a business opportunity + public appearance and not out of love and compassion. Word “socially” has nothing to do with love/compassion but public appearance
Birling refers to Sheila as “my girl” it may be that this is said with a sense of pride but the tone seems to be one of ownership rather than love. Here Priestly is criticising how women have little to no autonomy over their own lives, and they are seen as possessions to men.
‘As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive’
Criticism of community and socialism
Uses this smilie to trivialise socialism
Ridicule + Satirise
Insectoid associations - show his distain of this system and his disgust of socialism
‘Mixed up’ he is advocating segregation
‘Together’ with the Crofts he advocated for ‘together’ with society his ridicules it, showing his self - seeking attitude
Statement is deeply ironic and counter intuitive as it undermines his opinion
—> bees in a hive work together for a common purpose and are productive and effective, so his option is obstinate and wrong.
Effect of dramatic irony in Act 1 = Serving to undermine his credibility so the readers know to side with the Inspector and Eva
‘Fiddlesticks! The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.’
‘Fiddlesticks’ - he is being dismissive and shows his flippancy
The post-war audience (in 1946) will respond to this flippancy with outrage and disgust having experienced two world wars. Triggering to their stress and trauma
He is completely obvious / wilfully ignorant
Effect of dramatic irony in Act 1 = Serving to undermine his credibility so the readers know to side with the Inspector and Eva
Condescending, Egotistical as he thinks he has a secure view on world politics
‘A man needs to look after himself - and his family of course’
Prioritises business and himself over family and love
Self - absorbed and Self - seeking
‘Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
Repetition of word unsinkable shows his stubborn conviction
Has so much conviction and self assured shows his bigoted views
Titanic serves as a metaphor for the social class system and how it’s has flaws - arrogant
DRAMATIC IRONY!
‘I was an alderman for years - and Lord Mayor two years ago - and I’m still on the Bench - so I know the Bromley officers pretty well’
Thinly veiled threat
Exposing the corruption which is ripe in the justice system
‘Nepotism’ - means prioritise friends/family because of your position
He excepts and anticipates nepotism
List of accolades and occasions - showing off - egotistical
Priestly uses the Inspector to purify the justice system
‘Is there any reason my wife should answer questions from you Inspector?’
- Highlights Mr Birling as the patriarchal head of his household
- develops a protective role over his wife as she is seen as his ‘possession’
- tried to defend Mrs Birling as if she cannot defend herself
- power struggle remains evident between the Inspector and Mr Birling
- condescending tone - attempts to put the Inspector ‘in his place’
‘(Unhappily) Look, Inspector - I’d give thousands - yes ,
Mr Birling tries to extort and bride the Inspector to protect his image
Bribing the Inspector
Juxtaposes his unwillingness to part with money at the beginning of the play when Eva asked for a pay rise
Highlights his corruptions and selflessness as he is saving himself and his
Implying he can cover up the death of a person with money - showing his socialism - Money is the root of everything and always the answer
NO MORAL INTEGRITY WHATSOEVER
Shows how Inspector has moral integrity as he refuses
“You! You don’t seem to care about anything but I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next honours list”
- obsessed with social gain and power
- ironic because Mr Birling repeatedly states that Eric doesn’t care - but in reality Mr Birling doesn’t care about anything but himself
- ‘you’ and ‘I’ highlights the contrast between Mr Birling and Eric
