Mrs B Mr H Flashcards
What class does Mrs Birling believe Eva and ‘girls of that class’ deserve?
The bad things that happen to them
What is Mrs Birling’s attitude towards Eric’s drinking problem?
She is in denial
How does Mrs Birling feel about Gerald’s affair?
She does not believe it happened
What is Mrs Birling’s view of the Inspector?
She does not respect him
How does Mrs Birling respond to Eva when she seeks help?
She turns her away
What emotion does Mrs Birling show regarding Eva Smith’s death?
No remorse
What does the adverb ‘reproachfully’ suggest about Mr. Birling’s comments?
It suggests disapproval of his comments
This indicates a critique of Mr. Birling’s perspective.
What does Sheila’s recollection of what is ‘supposed’ to be said indicate?
It highlights her social superiority and understanding of etiquette
This reflects her awareness of societal norms.
What traits does Priestley draw attention to in Sheila’s character?
Her well-bred traits and small-mindedness
This suggests a critique of upper-class values and attitudes.
What term describes Mrs. Birling’s attitude as conveyed in the text?
Brazen snobbery
This term illustrates her arrogant demeanor and self-importance.
What does ‘gross impertinence’ signify in relation to Mrs. Birling?
Heightens her status as a caricature of the judgmental rich
This phrase emphasizes her exaggerated and negative traits.
What did Mrs. Birling think influenced her view against the case?
Simply a piece of gross impertinence
This reflects her dismissive attitude towards others.
What verb illustrates Mrs. Birling’s belief in the legitimacy of her views?
Prejudiced
This verb indicates her biased perspective and narrow sense of morality.
What irony does Priestley share about Mrs. Birling’s involvement?
Helping on a Charity committee
This highlights the contradiction between her charitable actions and her judgmental nature.
What effect does the character’s refusal to give in have on others?
Makes other characters seem weak
This highlights the strength of the character in contrast to others.
How does the character’s statement ‘I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him’ contribute to the narrative?
Accentuates her righteousness
This statement emphasizes her competitive edge and self-importance.
What does the pronoun contrast between ‘I’ and ‘you’ signify?
Amplifies her self-importance and righteousness
This contrast indicates a division between her and the others.
What is the implication of the character’s refusal to accept the Inspector’s views?
Her words become more alarming
This suggests a strong opposition to the voice of reason represented by the Inspector.
What aspect of the character’s dialogue contributes to her competitive edge?
The assertiveness in her words
Her dialogue reflects a strong stance against conformity.
How does Priestley present Mrs Birling in An Inspector Calls?
As a repellent snob who shows no remorse and sees the working classes as a homogenous mob of undeserving poor
Priestley critiques capitalism through her character.
What does Mrs Birling represent in the play?
An emblem of the Aristocracy only interested in her own class
This reflects the class divide in British society.
How is Mrs Birling described in the stage directions?
As ‘a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior’
The adjective ‘cold’ suggests a lack of warmth and compassion.
What does the phrase ‘her husband’s social superior’ imply?
Class and her position within the Upper Classes are significant
It invites the audience to reflect on class attitudes in 1912.
How does Priestley convey Mrs Birling’s self-confidence?
Through her described entrance as ‘briskly and self-confidently’
This highlights the arrogance of the Upper classes.
What does Mrs Birling’s glacial imperviousness signify?
Her refusal to acknowledge the plight of the working class
It reflects her entrenched class prejudices.
How does Mrs Birling refer to Eva and working-class girls?
‘girls of that class….girls of that sort’
This language reveals her dehumanizing view of the working class.
What does the pronoun ‘that’ indicate in Mrs Birling’s language?
An enormous difference between herself and Eva
It signifies her perception of superiority.
What is the significance of the euphemism ‘that sort’?
It distances Mrs Birling from the unpleasant truth of class disparity
Euphemisms reflect her revulsion towards the working class.
How does Mrs Birling infantilize Sheila and Eric?
By treating them as children who need guidance
This highlights her condescending attitude.
What does Mrs Birling say about Eva’s feelings?
‘she was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position’
This indicates her mockery and classist attitudes.
What does the verb ‘claiming’ suggest about Mrs Birling’s view of Eva?
That Eva is ‘making up’ her feelings
It underscores Mrs Birling’s dismissive attitude.
How does Priestley use Mrs Birling in the play?
As a tool to critique capitalism and promote socialism
This aligns with Priestley’s political beliefs.
What is the outcome of Mrs Birling’s character throughout the play?
She does not change at all
This contrasts with the development of the younger generation.
What does Mrs. Birling’s statement about the girl’s suicide reflect?
Her upper-class prejudices and lack of empathy towards the working class
This highlights the social divide and her inability to relate to those of a lower status.
What belief does Mrs. Birling express regarding the working class?
She believes they are fundamentally different and inferior to her social class
This suggests a deep-seated bias and a lack of understanding.
True or False: Mrs. Birling shows empathy towards the girl who committed suicide.
False
Her statement indicates a complete lack of empathy.
Fill in the blank: Mrs. Birling sees the working class as _______.
[inferior]
This reflects her social elitism and prejudices.
What does Mrs. Birling’s dismissal of the girl’s suicide indicate?
Her inability to empathize with the struggles faced by those in lower socioeconomic conditions.
This reflects a broader theme of social responsibility in the play.
What does the phrase ‘girls of that class’ reveal about Mrs. Birling?
Her snobbery and reinforces the class divide that is central to the play.
This phrase underscores the social hierarchies and prejudices present in the society depicted.
What does Mrs. Birling’s attitude highlight about the upper class?
Her moral blindness and the failure to take responsibility for their actions and the impact they have on others.
This theme is crucial in understanding the social critique presented in the play.
What does Mrs. Birling express through the quote regarding Eva Smith?
Disdain for Eva Smith and her perceived pretentiousness
This reflects Mrs. Birling’s elitist mindset and her inability to empathize with those of lower social status.
What theme is highlighted by Mrs. Birling’s statement about Eva Smith?
Social inequality
The quote underscores the class divide and the prejudices held by those in higher social classes.
What is indicated by Mrs. Birling’s view of ‘elaborate fine feelings’?
She finds them absurd for a girl in Eva’s position
This illustrates her belief that lower-class individuals should not possess emotional depth or aspirations.
True or False: Mrs. Birling’s attitude towards Eva Smith is sympathetic.
False
Her remarks are dismissive and reflect a lack of understanding or compassion.
Fill in the blank: Mrs. Birling’s disdain for Eva Smith reveals her _______ attitude.
classist
This attitude contributes to the broader theme of social criticism in the play.
What does the phrase ‘ridiculous airs’ imply about Mrs. Birling’s view of Eva’s aspirations?
Mrs. Birling views Eva’s aspirations and emotions as foolish and inappropriate for her lower social standing.
This reflects the rigid class structure of the time.
What does the rigid class structure of the time dictate about working-class individuals?
Working-class individuals were expected to remain humble and not aspire to sophistication or emotions deemed above their station.
This societal expectation highlights the limitations placed on individuals based on their social class.
Fill in the blank: The phrase ‘ridiculous airs’ suggests that Mrs. Birling views Eva’s _______ as foolish.
[aspirations]
Aspirations refer to hopes or ambitions of achieving something.
True or False: Mrs. Birling encourages Eva to pursue her aspirations.
False
Mrs. Birling’s attitude reflects a disdain for aspirations that surpass one’s social class.
What does the term ‘elaborate fine feelings’ indicate about Mrs. Birling’s perception of Eva’s emotions?
Mrs. Birling dismisses Eva’s genuine emotions as pretension rather than recognizing them as valid.
This highlights Mrs. Birling’s lack of empathy and moral superiority.
What character trait does Mrs. Birling exhibit in her interactions with Eva?
A lack of empathy and recognition of the struggles faced by the working class.
This reflects her ignorance towards the realities of those less fortunate.
How does Mrs. Birling’s character represent the upper class’s attitude towards the lower classes?
She embodies the refusal to acknowledge the humanity of the lower classes.
This reinforces the play’s critique of social responsibility.
What theme does the quote about Mrs. Birling convey regarding social class?
The consequences of class prejudice.
This theme is central to the play’s overall message.
