Mr Birling Quotes : Pride

Question 1

“Don’t contradict me like that”

Answer 1

Priestley presents Mrs Birling as symbolic of conservatism and resistant to change. By contrast, Sheila is representative of the younger generation who embrace radical change and the need for socialism

Question 2

“A trifle impertinent”

Answer 2

Mrs Birling attempts to convey a demand of respect through her formal and complex vocabulary, evidenced by her accusing the Inspector as being “a trifle impertinent”

Question 3

“Prominent member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation”

Answer 3

Priestley implies that mrs Birling’s role is not held out of care or compassion for the poor, but as a way to gain influence and staus due to her self-professed “prominent status”.