Mrs Birling Quotes Flashcards
“I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this”
Mrs Birling, being of a higher social class, understands the rules of pre-war etiquette. She scolds her husbands for discussing business at the dinner table when they are celebrating and her daughter is present. Alternatively, she is obsessed with how she and her family are perceived by others. She does not want Mr Birling to behave inappropriately in society as this could damage the Birlings reputation. Mrs birling is a direct result of society’s expectation of her, similar to many women in the Edwardian era.
“my husband was a Lord mayor only 2 years ago and that he is still a magistrate?”
This highlights the influence of the upper class. Most people would treat the Birlings differently and give them special treatment. Similar to the upper classes in the Edwardian period with a capitalist attitude that were treated as superior because of the power that they had due to their wealth. Mrs Birling finds it unacceptable that Inspector Goole refuses to worship of fear them. Priestly uses their attitudes to show the corruption in a society that lets social classes be treated differently and, in some cases, not even be included in criminal investigations purely because of their social class.
“She had only herself to blame”
Mrs Birling says many times that Eva Smith was to blame for her own fate, and for the charity refusing to help her. She then goes on to blame the man who got her pregnant. At no point in the whole play does Mrs Birling accept any responsibility or have any empathy towards other people. She only cares about her own family, how they look to other people and keeping their social standing. This refers to the theme of social responsibility and how the capitalist attitude selfishly opposes accountability and obligation to anything outside their interest.
“You seem to have had a great impression on the child.”
While Mrs birling talks to Inspector Goole, she shows that she doesn’t respect Sheila as a young adult. She still thinks of Sheila as a child (Infantilization) and talks about her as if she is not in the room. She also belittles the effect the Inspector has had. A suggestion is made that this impression will be short lived and that Sheila will not be permanently affected by him. The theme of age and generational change is shown here as Sheila is Infantilized and impressed by the Inspector whereas Mrs Birling Infantilises Sheila and shows no empathy despite the Inspector confronting her actions.
“but I didn’t know it was you”
Mrs Birling only regrets her nasty comments about the mystery man who got Eva Smith pregnant when she realises it was her own son. She was more than happy for the man to receive swift and severe punishments because she did not know him. This reflects social pre-war capitalist attitudes. People looked after themselves and their families. Mrs Birling felt that punishment was necessary for this man, until this man was revealed to be Eric, and then she changes her attitude.
