MRS BIRLING QUOTES Flashcards
“As if a girl of that sort..
would ever refuse any money”. - SOCIAL CLASS
“you know of course my husband was a…
lord mayor only two years ago, and that he’s still a magistrate”.
SOCIAL CLASS - attempting to use social class and power over him.
“no of course not ,…
he’s only a boy”
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
The NOUN “BOY” emphasises her refusal to see Eric as the adult he is
“Arthur, you’re not supposed…
to say such things”
SOCIAL CLASS SUPERIORITY- establishing that she is of higher class than MR B
“I accept no…
blame for it at all.” SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“She seemed to me to be not a good case…
– and so I used my influence to have it refused.” SOCIAL CLASS SUPERIORITY -
mrs b even admits she used her power to her advantage with “used my influence”
“I blame the young man…
who was the father of the child.” SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- wont accept blame despite the child being her grandchild
“He certainly didn’t make me confess…
– I had done no more than my duty.” SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
‘MY DUTY’ she believes in RIGID SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY but LACKS TRUE MORALITY.
“But surely… I mean…
it’s ridiculous! SOCIAL CLASS
she refuses to ACCEPT REALITY when it affects her personally.
“No—Eric—please—I didn’t know—
I didn’t understand—” SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
BROKEN SYNTAX - sees herself as victim rather than taking responsibility
“I don’t understand you,
Inspector.” - SOCIAL CLASS ARROGANCE
unable to listen to inspector - social barrier
“Don’t be childish
, Sheila.” GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
IRONY being used and is crucial as sheila acts maturely while MRS B clings to outdated ideas
“I knew there was something…
fishy about that Inspector.”
SOCIAL CLASS
“fishy” implies she never took insp G seriously.
“knew” past tense = self assurance
“They’re over-tired. In the morning…
they’ll be as amused as we are.”
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE/GENERATIONAL INEQUALITY
“Over-tired” DISMISSES the younger generation’s emotions
“So I was perfectly justified….
“in advising my committee not to allow her claim.”
Generational Divide
representing the older generation, refuses to take responsibility for her actions, unlike Sheila and Eric, who show remorse.
