Mrs Birling Flashcards
How does Priestley present Mrs Birling as cold and unlikable?
“about fifty, a rather cold woman”
- He uses stage direction; Priestly deliberately presents Mrs Birling as cold throughout the play as she represents his socialist dislike of the selfish wealthy
What quote shows Mrs Birling is dismissive or rude towards Inspector Goole?
“What business is it of yours?”
is disrespectful and rude towards inspector Goole despite him being a police officer, because he is of a lower social class
What quote shows Mrs Birling’s disdain for the inspector and his work?
“a trifle impertinent”
She’s patronising and talks about the policeman as if he’s a naughty boy
What quote shows Mrs Birling thinks the lower class is not worthy of her family’s attention?
“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”
- scolding her husband for praising the chef who is lower class
What quote shows Mrs Birling’s prejudiced against the working class relating to money?
“As if a girl that sort would refuse money”
This is when Eva Smith refuses the money from Eric as he has stolen it
What quote shows that Mrs Birling sees the lower class all the same and not as individuals?
“girls of that class”
What quote shows Mrs Birling’s opinion of Gerald’s affair with Eva?
“It was disgusting to me”
It is the difference in their social class that appals her
What quote shows that Mrs Birling sees lower class as lesser humans?
“She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position”
For Mrs B, Eva having feelings is absurd; Priestley implies Mrs B=absurd
What quote shows Mrs Birling only wants to protect her reputation not showing any empathy?
“Though naturally I don’t know anything about this girl”
It is ‘unnatural’ to suggest she’s involved; lies to protect herself
What quote shows that Mrs Birling was offended by Eva using her name, and remains prejudiced against her?
“A piece of gross impertinence…quite deliberate”
What quote shows Mrs Birling’s hypocrisy about her charitable work?
“a great deal of useful work helping deserving class”
Priestly shows power wielded by rich over poor, they decide who deserves
What quote shows that Mrs Birling expects her daughter to accept the inequality of married life?
“When you’re married you will realise that men with important work to do sometimes spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just as I had.
What quote shows Mrs Birling upholds the male dominant status quo?
“..and leave you men”
Shiela & Mrs B cannot stay to discuss topics with the men as not equals
What quote shows Mrs B infantilizing her children and also maintaining sexist stereotypes?
“You’re behaving like a hysterical child”
Accusations of hysteria were often made about women by men to control and dismiss them; here Mrs Birling does the same to try and control Sheila
What quote shows Mrs Birling takes no responsibility for her actions and even blames her own family?
“Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of”
“I accept no blame for it at all.”
Unlike her children Mrs B’s character remains unremorseful, unchanging
