Mrs Birling: Quotation Flashcards

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1
Q

Men with important work to do… spend nearly all their time and energy on their… you’ll have to get used to that

A

C: women 2nd class citizens in patriarchal society. Mr.B resigned to this but new generation of suffragettes challenging it.

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2
Q

Girls of that class

A

C: reflects class prejudice in highly stratified Edwardian society.
L: use of determiner - that not this- establishes lower class as ‘other’ to upper class in its values and behaviour.

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3
Q

Gross impertinence… prejudiced me against her case

A

C: implies that lower class should behave with humility towards upper class and be respectful. Mrs.B takes offence at Daisy’s use of the Birling surname; ironically the offence is the Birlings’ for mistreating her.

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4
Q

Look for the father of this child… it’s his responsibility

A

C: Mrs.B believes responsibility is an issue for the individual not the state. She seeks to pass the blame to the father not share it
R: due to structure of the play audience has worked out father of child is Eric
L: creates dramatic irony. Audience sees Mrs B’s views as flawed

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5
Q

I did nothing I’m ashamed of

A

Mr B refuses to accept responsibility for what happened to Daisy.
C: unlike the younger generation, she is not open to change. Hope for social change lies not with the older generation who involved Britain in 2 world wars, but with the younger generation, who can change

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6
Q

Elaborate fine feelings and scruples… absurd in a girl in her position

A

L: adjectives ‘elaborate, fine’ imply WC girls are not morally superior to the UMC
R: audience realises this is ironic. Mrs.B has behaved immorally whilst Daisy has behaved honourably.

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7
Q

You might be wanting to help hi, instead of us… be quiet so your father can decide what to do

A

L: contrast in pronouns ‘him’ and ‘us’ - inspector is opposition/ enemy of the family; S&E locality and duty should be to the family not the inspector.
C: patriarchal Edwardian society. Me make the decisions and have all power. Married women should defer to their husbands.

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8
Q

You refused her… even the pitiable little bit of organised charity you had in your power to grant her

A

L: adjective ‘pitiable. Little’ are emotive; emphasise how little Daisy is asking for and how mean-spirited Mrs.B is to refuse her help.
R: despise Mrs. B for her hard heartedness.
C: no welfare state in Edwardian era; the charitable committee is the only place she can exercise any power, yet she abuses it.

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