Mrs.Birling. Flashcards
“Cold…social superior” Method
Stage directions
“A girl in her position” Method
Derogatory language
“Angrily…Stung…frightened” Method
Stage directions
“I was the only one of you who didn’t give into him” Method
Irony
“Cold…social superior” Analysis
-Portrays her obsession with hierarchy and social status ,plus is reflective of divisions within upper classes
-“Cold”- shows her lack of compassion- mirroring a capitalistic society
(Shows privilege of upper class: able to comfortably prioritise reputation while lower classes struggle.)
“A girl in her position” Analysis
Shows her obsession with class- she can’t see Eva as an individual (past her class)
-lack of humanisation and identity from UC to the WC
-Infantilises her
“Angrily…Stung…Frightened” Analysis
Transformation with external behaviours but internal thinking has not changed
, - connotations of pain reflect the way she feels her reputation is being attacked (Irony- victimising herself despite being a partway cause in Eva’s death)
“I was the only one of you who didn’t give into him” Analysis
Reflective of her UC status- she sees herself as superior to the end, she has not grown.
-Irony “give in” connotes submission and surrender -victimises herself despite being a part of Eva Smiths death.
What attitudes does Mrs.Birling present as upper class?
Selfishness and obsession with hierarchy
Does Mrs.Birling show a willingness to change throughout the play?
No
What is Mrs.Birlings lack of growth a representation of overall?
Upper class older generation
Who contrasts Mrs.Birlings lack of change?
Shelia
Unlike Shelia, what does Mrs.Birling accept and in force throughout the play?
Capitalist values and patriarchy
