Mr.Birling Flashcards
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself” Method
Irony
“Lower costs…higher prices” Method
Irony
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” Method
Dramatic Irony and repetition
“Like bees in a hive” Method
Simile and Symbolism
“The famous younger generation who know it all” Method
Sarcasm and Irony
“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself” Analysis
Selfishness- reflective of UP capitalists
(Ironic as they all are involved with Eva Smith)
Direct contrast with Priestlys views -shows Mr Birling as a figure of contempt
“Lower costs…higher prices” Analysis
(This speech is concluded with “This is the happiest night of my life” -reinforcing how he doesn’t understand YG- speaks “generically”)
Shows his exploitation of consumers and workers -only looking for financial gain -UP belief system
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” Analysis
•Titanic itself is a representation of Upper-Class beliefs- it used hope as a mechanism for profit
•Also Titanic represents society as a whole= where people are segregated by class
—> shows ignorance of upper class, and society as a whole: if nothing changes- society doomed/ “ship sinks.”
“Like bees in a hive” Analysis
(Reflective of socialism- working together for common goal) - Honey distribution reflects the idea of a more equal society with equal access
Dismissive of the socialism- ironic as Birlings company requires socialism to function- Hypocrisy
(+Compares working class to Inspects=inferior)
“The famous YG who know it all” Analysis
Dismissive of the YG and their moral growth- (reflective of generational divide within UC)
Irony- Mr Birling is the most ignorant character/No growth. +he’s a satire of OG capitalism
Mr.Birlings foolishness is to a point of being stereotypical and mocking, so what kind of a figure/character is he?
Satirical figure /Satire
Who is Mr. Birling a satire of?
Older generation upper class
What is an example of Mr. Birlings hypocrisy and satirical foolishness?
Him telling Gerald to look out for only themselves and family, but then doesn’t
Hypocritically, Mr.Birling favours who over Eric?
Gerald
Since Mr.Birling is a satire, his presentation is what?
Oversimplified
Does Mr.Birling have a journey of growth and moral development?
No
Who can be contrasted to him in terms of confidence yet immoral VS shy yet moral?
Eric
What is the difference in Eric and Mr.Birling
Younger and older generations
