Mrs birling Flashcards
How is Mrs Birling described in the opening
’ A rather cold woman, her husbands social superior’
Cold - emotionless, strict, cruel
Superior - better, important
Why doesn’t Mrs Birling give Eva money
‘was simply a piece of gross impertinence - quite deliberate’
‘that prejudiced me against her case’
‘she only had herself to blame’
‘girls of that class’
How is dramatic irony used at the end of Act 2
Mrs Birling is talking about what should happen to the father (eric)
‘he should be made an example of’
‘hed be entirely responsible’
‘he ought to be dealt with very severly’
What charity is Mrs Birling part of
Brumley womens organization
How does Mrs Birling react after discovering the Inspector was fake
She dismisses her children’s worries saying
‘In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are’
How does Priestley present Mrs Birling throughout the play
To have an outdated outlook on life, and someone who stays strong to their ideals
Her victorian views are out of date, unlike her children’s
Mrs Birling is used by Priestley to show how views must change
She is also oblivious to Eric’s drinking problem, suggesting she doesn’t want to see the issues in society
How does Mrs Birling react after finding out about Eric’s roles, and him stealing money
‘Oh - Eric - how could you?’
‘(very distressed now) No Eric - please - I didnt know - I didnt understand
(Only when Eric gets angry)
Eric I’m absolutely ashamed of you (stealing money)
How does Mrs Birling view her children
Even Though they are adults she still views them of children, trying to hide them away at any chance
‘you ought to go to bed and forget about this buisness’
She also appears to be cold and uncaring towards them (especially eric)
