Mrs Birling

Question 1

How does Priestley present Mrs Birling through the play?

“Priestley uses Mrs Birling as a…

Answer 1

… repellent snob who shows no remorse and sees the working classes as a homogeneous mod of undeserving poor.

Question 2

How would a 1945 audience react to this?

“An audience watching this is 1945 may…”

Answer 2

…we’ll have felt critical of Mrs Birling’s attitude, as the county’s views were becoming less conservative after World War Two.

Question 3

What words can be used to describe Mr’s Birling?

Answer 3

Judgemental, snobbish, hypocritical, controlling, ignorant, materialistic, self- righteous, shameless, stubborn.

Question 4

At the beginning of the inspection Priestley establishes Mrs Birling as..

Answer 4

…a women who is ruled by the expectations of her gender and class.

Question 5

“Very cold woman and her husband’s social superior.”

Answer 5

Very entitled
Stage directions
Unfeeling, unsympathetic doesn’t care about peoples feelings
From the aristocracy = she’s going to be looking down on others.

Question 6

“(Reproachfully) Author, you’re not supposed to say such things-“

Answer 6

Stage directions - disapprovingly
Important for her to uphold her social class.

Question 7

“briskly and self- confidently, quite out of key with the little scene that has just passed.”

Answer 7

Stage directions.
Calm and self righteous
Symbolic = she’s oblivious to the realities for the working class.

Question 8

“a girl in that position.”

Answer 8

Euphemisms= judgemental + prejudiced
(Pregnant and in the working class.)

Question 9

“Well, why shouldn’t we?”

Answer 9

Can’t see the problem with her behaviour.
Rhetorical question.

Question 10

“(Smiling)”

Answer 10

stage directions
Congratulates Gerald
Completely ignored her responsibility.
End of interrogation