Mrs. Birling quotes Flashcards
How is Mrs. Birling introduced?
“a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”
When Mr. Birling compliments the cook in front of Gerald, saying the food is “absolutely first class”, Mrs. Birling quickly corrects him, saying “A__, y__ n__ s__ t_ s__ s__ t__”.
“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”
When Mrs. Birling mentions to Eric to go easy on the drink, she tells him that “y__ n__ u__ t_ i_”, demonstrating how little she really knows him.
“you’re not used to it”
Mrs. Birling tells Sheila that “y__ h__ t_ g__ u__ t__” the fact that “m__ w__ i__ w__ t_ d_ h__ t_ s__ n__ a__ t__ t__ a__ e__ o_ t__ b__”.
“you’ll have to get used to” the fact that “men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business”
Mrs. Birling demonstrates sexist views when she tells Sheila “y__ o__ t_ g_ t_ b__ - a__ f__ a__ t__ a__ b__”.
“you ought to go to bed - and forget about this absurd business”
Mrs. Birling demonstrates class prejudice when she refers to “g__ o_ t__ c__”.
“girls of that class”
Mrs. Birling indignantly tells the inspector that he is conducting his enquiry in “a r__ p__ a__ o__ m__” and is being “i__”. She attempts to intimidate him with social status by telling him that “m_ h__ w__ L__ M__”.
1) “a rather peculiar and offensive manner” and “impertinent” 2) “my husband was Lord Mayor”
When discussing Eric and his drinking, Mrs. Birling denies there’s an issue by claiming “h__ o__ a b__”.
“he’s only a boy”
Mrs. Birling refers to Sheila’s changing attitude as her just being “o__”.
“over-excited”
When Gerald begins to explain his involvement with Eva, Mrs. Birling says “i_ w__ b_ m__ b__ i_ S__ d__ l__ t_ t__ s__”.
“it would be much better if Sheila didn’t listen to this story”
Mrs. Birling expresses shock at A__ M__ being a “n__ w__”. She says that “w_ a__ l__ s__ t__”.
1) Alderman Meggarty 2) “notorious womaniser” 3) “we are learning something tonight”
Mrs. Birling refers to Gerald’s behavior as a “d__ a__” and “w__ b__”.
“disgusting affair”, “wretched business”
Mrs. Birling reveals that it was Eva’s “g__ i__” that “p__ m_ a__ h__ c__”.
“gross impertinence” that “prejuciced me against her case”
Instead of accepting any blame for Eva’s death, Mrs. Birling guiltlessly transfers it to others. She blames:
- Eva: “s__ h__ o__ h__ t_ b__”
- Her husband, Sheila and Gerald: “u__ t__ o__ t__, I d__ n__ I_ a__ o_”
- Unwittingly, Eric: “I b__ t__ y__ m__ w__ w__ t__ f__”, “i__ h__ r__”
- Mr. Birling and Sheila: “i__ w__ I w__ h__ h__ t__ o__ o_ h__ e__ - w__ p__ b__ i_ a__”
- “she had only herself to blame”
- “unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ahsamed of”
- “I blame the young man who was the father”, “it’s his responsibility”
- “it wasn’t I who had her turned out of her employment - which probably began it all”
Mrs. Birling remains convinced of her innocence:
- “I__ d__ n__ w__”
- “I w__ p__ j__”
- “I a__ n_ b__ f__ i_ a_ a__”
- “I’ve done nothing wrong”
- “I was perfectly justified”
- “I accept no blame for it at all”
