Mrs Birling Flashcards
“No, of course not. He’s only a boy.” And later “(staggered) it isn’t true.
Her relationship with Eric
She still treats him like a child when he is questioned about his drinking.
She is ignorant of the fact that he is a young man. She refuses to see it.
In her eyes her children can do no wrong
“(Very distressed now. Rises a step forward toward fire place.) no-Eric-please-I didn’t know-I didn’t understand)”
Her relationship with Eric
Doesn’t care what she’s done to Eva only trying to reconcile with Eric and still treats the situation as if he’s a child.
Still trying to make herself look better and isn’t aware how much she’s affected Eric.
“Mrs Birling: I don’t understand you inspector.
Inspector: you mean you choose not to, Mrs Birling.”
Her reaction to the inspector
Being ignorant to the fact that the inspector already knows everything.
She thinks she is always right.
“Inspector: you’re not telling the truth.
Mrs Birling: (angrily) I beg your pardon!”
Her reaction to the inspector
She thinks she is better than the inspector
Is shocked that someone could speak to her in that manner because she is “superior” to others.
“You know of course that my husband was lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate.”
Her reaction to the inspector
Trying to intimidate him
Thinks she can get whatever she wants through bribery and blackmail
Ignorant
“I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it at all.”
Her thoughts about her involvement
Doesn’t think she’s done anything wrong
Still ignorant and is very stubborn
Doesn’t care about Eva
‘I blame the young man who was the father of the child she was going to have. If, as she said, he didn’t belong to her class, and was some drunken young idler, then that’s all the more reason why he shouldn’t escape. He should be made an example of. If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to him.’
Her thoughts about her Involvement
Still doesn’t want to take any blame
Tries to push the blame away
Is very oblivious to her mistakes and won’t accept the consequences
“(Triumphantly) Didn’t I tell you? Didn’t I say I couldn’t imagine a real police inspector talking like that to us?”
Her thoughts at the end
Snob
The way she says “us” making her think she is different from everyone so deserves special treatment
[As they stare guiltily and dumbfounded, the curtain falls.]
Now finally feels guilt
“I was the only one who didn’t give into him.”
Her thoughts at the end.
Feels triumphant.
Arrogant
