Q5: "I'm talking ... chance of war."

Question 1

“I’m ____ as a ___ _____ , ____ man of _____ . And I say there isn’t a ____ of ____.”

Answer 1

“I’m talking as a hard headed, practical man of business. And I say there isn’t a chance of war.”

Question 2

who said it and when? who did they say it to? what is it about?

Answer 2

Act 1. Mr Birling discussing the talk of an upcoming war.

Question 3

5 key points:

Answer 3

• dramatic irony: solidify the audience’s negative perception of Mr Birling
• erroneous assumption depict him as a dogmatic character in the eyes of the contemporary audience (who experienced 2 WWs)
• overconfident tone of assurance illustrates his ignorance and lack of connection to the real word
• oxymoron; adjectives “hard headed” and “practical” further exemplifies the nonsensical nature of the beliefs. Mr B = bigoted, narrow minded and NOT pragmatic.
• hubristic; constantly associate himself to his work and what he earns as a “hard headed, practical man of business”.