Mr Birling Qutes Flashcards
What is Mr. Birling’s perspective on business?
He identifies as a hard-headed practical man of business
This reflects his capitalist viewpoint.
What does Mr. Birling say about war?
‘Fiddlesticks! War is inevitable’
This shows his dismissive attitude towards the seriousness of conflict.
What does Mr. Birling claim about the Titanic?
‘The Titanic - she sails next week…and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable!’
This illustrates his overconfidence and foreshadows disaster.
What does Mr. Birling believe a man must do?
A man has to make his own way and look after himself
This encapsulates his individualistic philosophy.
How does Mr. Birling view community responsibility?
‘As if we were all mixed up like bees in a hive… community and all that nonsense.’
This indicates his rejection of collective responsibility.
What positions has Mr. Birling held?
Alderman, Lord Mayor, and still on the Bench
This shows his status and influence in society.
How does Mr. Birling justify his actions to the Inspector?
‘There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did’
This reflects his self-justifying nature.
What does Mr. Birling call the Inspector?
‘Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank’
This highlights his contempt for differing ideologies.
What is Mr. Birling’s view of the younger generation?
He sees them as the ‘famous younger generation who know it all’
This displays his dismissive attitude towards youth.
What structural feature is prominent in Mr. Birling’s dialogue?
Long monologues
This emphasizes his need to dominate conversations.
What is a key language feature of Mr. Birling’s character?
Dramatic irony
This creates tension between his words and the audience’s knowledge.
How does Mr. Birling react when the Inspector arrives?
His language changes to short, sharp fragments
This indicates his growing anxiety.
What does the shift from ‘I’ to ‘we’ signify in Mr. Birling’s dialogue?
It diminishes the scale of the problem and shifts blame
This reflects his attempt to evade responsibility.
What type of language does Mr. Birling use to convey his authority?
Colloquial language
This is appropriate for the time but shows his declining control.
What does Mr. Birling’s panic indicate at the end of the play?
His bravado has been shattered
This allows the audience to see his vulnerability.
How does Priestley depict Mr. Birling in terms of capitalist ideology?
As a symbol of the callousness and heartlessness of capitalism
This serves as a critique of capitalist values.
What does Mr. Birling’s use of euphemisms suggest?
His reluctance to address taboo subjects directly
This reflects societal norms of the time.
True or False: Mr. Birling believes in collective responsibility.
False
He often dismisses the idea of looking after others.
Fill in the blank: Mr. Birling’s character represents the _______ generation unwilling to change.
older
This highlights the resistance to new ideas and social progress.
What does Mr. Birling claim about his character?
He describes himself as a hard-headed practical man of business.
How does Mr. Birling react to the idea of war?
‘Fiddlesticks!’
What does Mr. Birling say about the Titanic?
‘The Titanic sails next week…and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable!’
What does Mr. Birling believe a man must do?
A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too, of course.
How does Mr. Birling feel about the Inspector’s visit?
‘Horrid business. But I don’t understand why you should come here.’
What is Mr. Birling’s view on community responsibility?
‘You’d think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense.’
What positions has Mr. Birling held in the community?
- Alderman for years * Lord Mayor two years ago * Still on the Bench
What excuse does Mr. Birling provide for his and his wife’s actions?
‘There’s every excuse for what your mother and I did.’
How does Mr. Birling refer to political ideologies he disagrees with?
‘Probably a Socialist or some sort of crank.’
How does Mr. Birling perceive the younger generation?
‘Now look at the pair of them - the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.’
What literary device does Priestley use to convey Birling’s character?
Dramatic irony.
What does Mr. Birling’s use of dismissive language indicate?
He belittles others’ ideas.
What does the Titanic symbolize in relation to Mr. Birling’s character?
Believes they are untouchable until the Inspector arrives.
How does Mr. Birling’s language change during the Inspector’s arrival?
He uses colloquial language and speaks in short, sharp fragments.
What emotional state is Mr. Birling described as having when the Inspector arrives?
Panic stricken.
What pronoun shift occurs in Mr. Birling’s speech during the play?
Switches from ‘I’ to ‘we’.
What is the significance of Mr. Birling’s use of understatement?
Invites the audience to feel sympathy.
What does Mr. Birling use when referring to taboo subjects?
Euphemisms.
What kind of man does Mr. Birling describe himself as?
A hard-headed practical man of business
What does Mr. Birling dismiss as ‘fiddlesticks’?
The idea that war is inevitable
What does Mr. Birling claim about the Titanic?
She is unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable
What does Mr. Birling suggest about a knighthood?
There’s a very good chance of a knighthood
According to Mr. Birling, what must a man do?
Make his own way and look after himself and his family
How does Mr. Birling react to the Inspector’s visit?
He is impatient and doesn’t understand why the Inspector has come
What does Mr. Birling think about the concept of community?
He believes it is nonsense and compares it to bees in a hive
What positions has Mr. Birling held in Brumley?
Alderman, Lord Mayor, and still on the Bench
How does Mr. Birling justify his and his wife’s actions?
He says there’s every excuse for what they did
How does Mr. Birling perceive the younger generation?
He finds them to be know-it-alls who can’t take a joke
What does Priestley use Birling to symbolize?
The callousness and heartlessness of capitalism
What does Birling’s character criticize according to Priestley?
The complacency of capitalist prosperity
What type of sentences does Mr. Birling use when he is passionate?
Exclamatory sentences
What literary device is evident in Mr. Birling’s language?
Dramatic irony
How does Mr. Birling’s language change during the Inspector’s arrival?
He speaks in short, sharp fragments and uses dashes
What does Mr. Birling’s use of colloquial language indicate?
His authority is breaking down
What pronoun does Mr. Birling switch from and to during the play?
From ‘I’ to ‘we’
What does Mr. Birling’s understatement indicate about his character?
He downplays serious issues, saying ‘it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’
How is Mr. Birling described by Priestley towards the end of the play?
Panic-stricken, indicating his loss of control
What does Priestley allow the audience to see about Mr. Birling?
He is blindly wrong and never really in control of events
What type of language does Mr. Birling use for taboo subjects?
Euphemisms
What is the primary theme of An Inspector Calls?
Criticism of British Society and a call to arms for the future
The play critiques capitalism and explores its damage to society.
How is Mr. Birling initially presented by Priestley?
As a comfortable, over-confident, provincial Northern Capitalist
This characterization sets the stage for Birling’s foolishness and disconnect from reality.
What significant statement does Birling make about the Titanic?
‘Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
This statement exemplifies Birling’s arrogance and naivety.
What literary techniques does Priestley use to reveal Birling’s foolishness?
Repetition and dramatic irony
These techniques highlight Birling’s wrongness despite his assertive declarations.
What does Birling’s view on social class indicate about his character?
He believes he has worked hard for his status and strives to communicate this
This reflects his egotism and desire for validation.
How does Birling’s statement about war reflect his character?
Shows his lack of understanding and being out of touch with society
His comments alienate the post-war audience, emphasizing his ignorance.
What does Birling offer Gerald to reassure him?
A ‘very good chance of a knighthood’
This sycophantic language indicates Birling’s obsession with social perception.
How does the Inspector challenge Birling’s authority?
By referencing being ‘Lord Mayor two years ago’
This highlights Birling’s fixation on social status.
What does Birling’s character symbolize in the context of post-war Britain?
Egotism and blindness to social change
His desperation to maintain class importance contrasts with the new social realities.
What does Birling’s focus on a ‘public scandal’ reveal about him?
His concern for reputation over moral responsibility
This demonstrates his selfish, capitalist outlook.
How is Birling’s character unchanged by the end of the play?
He remains focused on his male reputation
His lack of concern for Eva Smith showcases his consistent selfishness.
What political belief does Priestley express through Birling’s character?
A passionate belief in Socialism
Birling serves as a tool to critique capitalist individualism.
What themes are highlighted through Mrs. Birling’s character?
Class prejudice, hypocrisy of the upper classes, moral socialism vs capitalist individualism
These themes contribute to the exploration of social injustice.
Fill in the blank: The Inspector acts as a _______ for Priestley’s socialist values.
mouthpiece
The Inspector voices the moral truths that counter Birling’s capitalist views.
True or False: Priestley portrays the Birling family as catalysts for Eva’s decline.
True
Their actions and attitudes directly contribute to her tragic fate.
What moral issues does An Inspector Calls address?
Accountability, abuse of power, social superiority/inferiority
These issues reflect the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
What is a key motif in the play regarding gender?
Female lack of agency
The play critiques the limited roles and power of women in society.
Fill in the blank: Priestley contrasts _______ with respectability in the play.
responsibility
This contrast highlights the moral failings of the characters.
What does Priestley suggest about the stability of society?
It is threatened by class divides and social injustices
The play advocates for change to heal societal rifts.
