Mrs Birling Flashcards
Mrs Birling: “His wife… a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”
- ‘His wife’ can present how her identity was based on her husband, as her name isn’t clearly stated like the others. This can link to how Priestley criticised the patriarchal society of 1912.
- The use of the adjective “cold” instantly introduces her to be quite icy, aloof which could be a reflection of her class and foreshadows her behaviour and attitude throughout the play.
- “social superior” = hence why she constantly emits her pride alongside degrading others and is also the reason why she follows the rules of etiquette as having a good reputation was highly important to people of the upper class
(reproachfully) Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things- Social class
- The use of the adverb “reproachfully” immediately establishes the snobbish and traditional attitude of Mrs. Birling as she is shown to be highly concerned with the social etiquette and hence strictly follows it further demonstrated by the fact that she is chastising her husband for a simple remark
- This also links to the stage directions of Mrs Birling being Mr Birling’s “social superior”
Mrs Birling: “When you’re married you’ll realize that men … spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just as I had” Gender
This shows how little power women had and highlights how Mrs Birling is submissive and obeys society’s expectations. The fact that she also urges Shelia “to get use to that” foreshadows the conflict between the older generation and the younger generation later on in the play and mirrors how the old generation refuse to change how things are.
Briskly and self-confidently, quite out of key with the little scene that has just passed
- Presents as naïve with a lack of awareness of other people from the outset
- a symbol for the class divide: the luxuries enjoyed by the wealthy and powerful blinds them from the struggles of others
- The adverbs “Briskly and self-confidently” gives an impression of authority and power, conveying the arrogance and self-satisfaction of the upper class – dramatic irony as the audience knows that the inspector has the real authority
I’m Mrs Birling, y’know social class
- Intimation used like Mr Birling= presents her as snobby
- Use of colloquial language “y’know” is unusual = could be sweetening up to the inspector mirroring how the upper class always try to look like good people
“ forget about this absurd business” social responsibility
- Highlights her heartless and unsympathetic nature = her priority is to shield Sheila away from the situation
- Both Gerald and Mr birling have both described the suicide as “business” foreshadowing their decision not to take responsibility by the end of the play
“girls of that class” class
- Demeaning nature of this line, highlights how socially and morally superior she feels
- The determiner “that” highlights how far Mrs Birling wants to separate herself from the lower class, mirroring the dichotomy between the to classes during this time period. Her disgust of the lower class is also highlighted here, by replacing “the lower” with “that”, suggesting that she is so repulsed by them that she doesn’t want to say their name, reflecting the intensity of hatred the upper class had towards the lower class
- Noun : girls - implies immaturity despite the fact that oftentimes the lower classes indure much more things than the upper class- Mrs b lacks awareness
ironic how the cruel and condescending upper class are responsible for the fate of the lower class
You know of course that my husband was lord mayor only two years ago social class
- Intimation used like Mr Birling= presents her as snobby
* Suggests that due to the power they have they are beyond questioning
Disgusting affair
social class
- Highlights her prudish and unforgiving nature as well as how patronizing she is towards the lower class
- The adjective “disgusting” suggests that she is repulsed , possibly because it involved a lower class girl and therefore implies that she sees the lower class as filth
- Ironic how it is revealed that Mrs B pushed Eva to her death
so I used my influence to have it refused. class
- she again openly admits the misuse of power that she has done, making her character apathetic to the audience.
- Presents her as spiteful with no understanding of the struggles that the lower class face
Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility. Social responsibility, Blame
- AO2 creates proleptic irony - she is unwittingly blaming Eric but the audience have already worked this out.
- Makes her appear stupid – AO3 Priestley wants the capitalist, selfish characters to appear unintelligent so that the audience sides with Goole’s socialist stance
- AO2 Imperative ‘go’ makes her seem dismissive and demanding but could also reflect her eagerness to pass the blame on.
- AO3 this links to her upper-class origins – she would be used to feeling superior to working class citizens like the inspector.
- Reflects the attitude that a woman’s place was under the authority of a man- society didn’t regard women as independent citizens
She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position. social responsibility, class,
- adjective ‘absurd’ implies that she sees Eva’s refusal to take stolen money as laughable when, ironically, it was true and deadly serious. It also creates an accusatory contemptuous tone, making the audience more sympathetic towards Eva
- adjective ‘fine’ implies that she thinks that certain moral scruples such as refusing to accept stolen money can only be felt by higher class citizens as they are too ‘fine’ for the working classes. Hugely ironic as Eva, a working-class woman, showed high moral standards whereas Mrs Birling displays a disgustingly low lack of moral standards.
- The use of advanced vocabulary “elaborate” “scruples” “absurd” reflects her snobbery
Excitable silly mood
And surely you don’t mean Alderman Meggarty?… (staggered) we are learning something tonight
• Highlights how naïve she is , protected in a bubble , refuses to see fault in son, could be a reflection of how she refuses to see fault in the upper class.
- Oblivious = mirrors how the upper class were deemed as righteous
- Upper class men easily got away with crimes against the lower class
i’m very sorry. But I think she had only herself to blame. Social responsibility, blame
- Trying to alienate herself from the situation, mirroring how upper class want nothing to do with the lower class
- The use of the short sentences implies her coldness and disregard for others below here
- Priestley uses Mrs Birling to epitomize all that is wrong with society. She represents the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes and shows no remorse in her cruel treatment of Eva Smith
• The first sentence “I’m sorry” demonstrates guilt which contrats with the second second sentence that shows no mercy which could mirror the inhumane and psychopathic qualities that conservatism and the bourgeoisie culture bring about thus repelling the audience from it.
all right, Edna. I’ll ring from the drawing room when we want coffee./ “Arthur!” “Sheila!” “Eric?”
social class
- Shows dominance over the maid as an upper class
- The adverbial phrase “when we want coffee” shows command and power as shown by the connotations of control in the adverb “when”
- Dominance further reinforced through her exclamatory remarks when she tries to control her whole family, the constant use of exclamation marks shows her trying to assert dominance over everyone else
