MRS BIRLING Flashcards
In act two MRS BIRLING says “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse any money”. How is Preistly presenting MRS B here?
She assumes Eva is lying, implying thay because she is of lower class she isn’t capable of showing morality.
The phrase “as if” tells us that Mrs Birling thinks that this idea is ridiculous with “that sort” showing how JUDGEMENTAL she is with people of a LOWER CLASS than her.
THE VERB “refuse” implies she stereotypes the poor, assuming that they look for every opportunity to be handed money.
In Act 2 when Mrs Birling meets the inspector she announces “you know of course my husband was a lord mayor only two years ago, and that he’s still a magistrate”. What is Mrs B trying to tell the inspector?
Mrs Birling immediately tries to challenge the inspectors authority. she does this by attempting to use her social status as a power over him.
When she says “of course” she assumes that the inspector is already aware of this achievement and is reminding him of this fact in a socially subtle manner.
What does the quote “no of course not , he’s only a boy” highlight about mrs Birling?
This shows MRS B’s ignorance and lack of knowledge . even of those in her own family.
The NOUN “BOY” emphasises her refusal to see Eric as the adult he is , highlighting her ongoing naivety and failure to see things as they truly are.
“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things.” highlight about MRS BIRLING?
This establishes Mrs. Birling as socially superior to her husband, demonstrating her ADHERENCE to strict upper-class etiquette. She POLICES Arthur’s behaviour, showing her SNOBISHNESS and OBSESSION with appearances.
She corrects her husband, showing that she holds authority despite women in 1912 being expected to be submissive. -She operates within the system but wields power through SOCIAL SUPERIORITY.
What does the quote “I accept no blame for it at all.” highlight about MRS Birlings OSTENTATIOUS CHARACTER?
The DEFINITIVE TONE of “I accept no blame” highlights her UNWILLINGNESS to take responsibility, reinforcing Priestley’s critique of the upper class’s MORAL DETACHMENT.
The PHRASE “at all” adds FINALITY, showing that she sees herself as beyond reproach, reinforcing her ARROGANCE.
“She seemed to me to be not a good case – and so I used my influence to have it refused.”
WHAT DOES THIS QUOTE EMPHASISE ABOUT MRS BS DEMEANOUR ? HOW IS SHE PRESENTED?
The phrase “She seemed to me” highlights SUBJECTIVITY and BIAS, showing she judges Eva based on PREJUDICE, not need.
The words “used my influence” reveal how she ABUSES POWER, demonstrating CORRUPTION among the upper classes.
“To have it refused” is PASSIVE, distancing herself from responsibility—as if it was a PROCEDURAL action, not a moral decision.
“I blame the young man who was the father of the child.” GIVE A WORLD LEVEL ANALYSE AND TELL ME ABOUT THE CHARACTER:
The phrase “I blame” is
ABSOLUTE, showing her EAGERNESS to shift responsibility elsewhere.
“Young man” is VAGUE, showing her lack of CONCERN for individual ACCOUNTABILITY—until she realizes it is Eric.
The IRONY here is central—she unknowingly CONDEMNS her own son, exposing her HYPOCRISY and LACK OF FORESIGHT.
“He certainly didn’t make me confess – I had done no more than my duty.”
ANALYSE THIS:
The ADVERB “certainly” REINFORCES her CONFIDENCE and pride in her actions, showing that SHE SEES no moral CONFLICT in her DECISIONS.
“Didn’t make me confess” suggests she sees the Inspector’s questioning as a battle to be won, rather than a moral reckoning.
“My duty” justifies her actions, suggesting she believes in RIGID SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY but LACKS TRUE MORALITY.
“But surely… I mean… it’s ridiculous!”
how is PREISTLY presenting MRS B?
The ELLIPSIS and FRAGMENTED STRUCTURE show her DISBELIEF and loss of control, a contrast to her earlier composed speech.
The word “ridiculous” suggests DENIAL, as she refuses to ACCEPT REALITY when it affects her personally.
“No—Eric—please—I didn’t know—I didn’t understand—” WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT IN HOW THIS QUOTE IS WRITTEN?
The BROKEN SYNTAX and HESITATIONS show DESPERATION and REGRET, but notably, she FOCUSES on her own IGNORANCE, not Eva’s suffering.
The REPETITION of “I didn’t” EMPHASISES her DEFENSIVENESS, suggesting she sees herself as a victim rather than taking responsibility.
“I don’t understand you, Inspector.”
What does this show about mrs birlings preconceptions ?
“I don’t understand” suggests WILLFULL IGNORANCE, as she refuses to engage with the Inspector’s MORAL STANCE.
THE FORMALITY of “Inspector” maintains a SOCIAL BARRIER, REINFORCING her DETACHMENT.
“Don’t be childish, Sheila.” WHAT LITERARY DEVICE IS PRESENT HERE?
IRONY!!
This irony is CRUCIAL—Sheila is acting MATURELY, while Mrs. Birling CLINGS to OUTDATED IDEAS.
“Childish” is patronizing, showing her DISRESPECT for Sheila’s MORAL AWAKENING.
“I knew there was something fishy about that Inspector.” WHAT DOES THIS SHOW ABOUT MRS BIRLINGS MISCONCEPTIONS?
“Something fishy” suggests that she never TOOK THE INSPECTOR SERIOUSLY, showing her FAILURE to learn anything.
The past tense “knew” IMPLIES SELF-ASSURANCE REINFORCING her ARROGANCE and COMPLACENCY.
“They’re over-tired. In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are.” why is this quote effective?
“Over-tired” DISMISSES the younger generation’s emotions, showing her FAILURE to RECOGNISE MORAL GROWTH.
“Amused” TRIVIALISES the events, proving she has learned nothing.
GIVE SOME ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE MRS BRILING ::::
PREJUDICED: HER INSTANT DISLIKE TO EVA SMITH DUE TO HER SIMILAR SIR NAME
EXPLOITATIVE: constant reminder or mr Birlings achievements to inspector
BOASTFUL
IGNORANT: unable to learn anything after insp g visited
ORTHODOX: acts how a lady of that time should
IMPERIOUS: refuses to answer inspectors queries
OBSTINATE: stubborn unable to have different view
ARROGANT: believes she is higher on the social ladder
