Pride/Mrs Birling Flashcards
“Don’t contradict me like that”
Priestley presents Mrs Birling as symbolic of conservatism and resistant to change. By contrast, Sheila is representative of the younger generation who embrace radical change and the need for socialism.
“A trifle impertinent”
Mrs Birling attempts to convey a demand of respect through her formal and complex vocabulary, evidenced by her accusing the Inspector as being “a trifle impertinent”
“Prominent member of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation”
Priestley implies that Mrs Birling’s role is not held out of care or compassion for the poor, but as a way to gain influence and status due to her self-professed “prominent” status
“[With dignity] We’ve done a great deal of useful work helping deserving cases”
This emphasis on the adjective “deserving” reveals Mrs Birling’s joy in playing God in these young women’s lives, deciding whether they receive aid and benefit or are refused and suffer, a reflection of the power of the upper classes.
“One of the things that prejudiced me against her case”
Mrs Birling sees her treatment of Eva as valid, unashamedly declaring that Eva’s “impertinence” in claiming to be “Mrs Birling” as “one of the things that prejudiced me against her” . This demonstrates that those living in poverty have no way to escape it as they cannot challenge their exploitation; Eva’s attempt to strike saw her fired; the institutes meant to help them are prejudiced against them.
“The rude way he spoke … it was quite extraordinary!”
Priestley’s use of the adjective “rude” reveals Mrs Birling’s perception of the Inspector as disrespectful. In doing so, she attempts to undermine his authority, devalidating his argument, meaning that they don’t have to take responsibility for their actions.
“What business is it of yours?”
Priestley’s use of this rhetorical question evidences the arrogance of Mrs Birling and her sense of superiority. This is clear as the Inspector’s job is to “ask questions” and therefore anything related to the death of Eva Smith is the Inspector’s “business” .
