Mrs Birling Flashcards
What two rhetorical devices are used in the quotation “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility”?
1-Deflection
2-Situational irony
What is the effect of the use of deflection in the quote “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility”?
Quote showcases deflection and accusation as Mrs. Birling seeks to absolve herself of responsibility, her tone embodies the unscrupulous attitude of the bourgeois
What is the effect of the use of situational irony in the quote “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility”?
It amplifies the plays message of collective social conscience, her lack of self awareness underscores how exploitative systems thrive on individuals denial of their roles and their complicity
What two language devices are in the quotation “I don’t believe it. I wont believe it.”
Repetition and characterisation
What is the effect of the use of repetition in the quote “I don’t believe it. I wont believe it.”?
Emphasises Mrs. Birlings refusal to accept the reality of her actions and their consequences. This shows how she rejects the inspectors testimony as a defense mechanism to absolve herself, this reaction stemming from her exploitative nature
What does the effect of repetition in the quote “I don’t believe it. I wont believe it.” represent in Mrs. Birling character
Highlights regression as she moves further from a collective social conscience
How does Priestley use characterisation of Mrs. Birling in the quotation “I don’t believe it. I wont believe it.”?
Priestley uses characterisation through Mrs. Birlings reaction to present her as having an unscrupulous nature and refusing a collective social conscience.
What theme does the quotation “I don’t believe it. I wont believe it.” link to ?
Older vs younger generations as Mrs. Birling could be seen as a microcosm for the bourgeois as paralleled by Mr. Birling which is further emphasised by the fact both Mr and Mrs. Birling are stagnant characters
what two language devices are used in the quote “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“
A dismissive tone and a motif of othering
What is the effect of the use of a dismissive tone in the quotation “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“
The dismissive tone in the phrase “I don’t suppose” highlights her unscrupulous rejection of empathy or moral responsibility, The phrase “Girls of that class” conveys her dehumanising attitude to the proletariat.
What is a motif of othering?
A recurring theme of treating others as lesser
What is the effect of the use of the motif of othering in the quotation “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-“
This language emphasises the dehumanising effect of capitalism which views the proletariat as separate and inferior to the bourgeois.
which two rhetorical devices are used in the quotation “You know, of course, that my husband was Lord mayor only two years ago and he’s still a magistrate” ?
1-A political diatribe embedded in direct address
2-An allusion
What is the effect of the use of direct address in the quote “You know, of course, that my husband was Lord mayor only two years ago and he’s still a magistrate” ?
It conveys the idea of her family’s social standing in attempt to emphasise her social power.
What is the effect of the political diatribe in the quote “You know, of course, that my husband was Lord mayor only two years ago and he’s still a magistrate”?
The political diatribe reflects her belief in the interconnectedness of social hierarchies where status is inherited and should be above reproach (above having to take responsibility)
What is the effect of the use of an allusion in the quote “You know, of course, that my husband was Lord mayor only two years ago and he’s still a magistrate”?
Her comment can be seen as an allusion to the political landscape of the time where the bourgeois were often in positions of authority and influence shielding them from accountability.
What theme does the quote “You know, of course, that my husband was Lord mayor only two years ago and he’s still a magistrate” link to ?
Social class
