Quotes & Analysis: Mr Birling Flashcards
“Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable!”
TECHNIQUE: Repetition of “unsinkable”
Exclamation mark at the end “!”
Dramatic irony
ANALYSIS: Shows Mr Birling’s arrogance and his over confidence. Sinking of titanic could be foreshadowing the sinking of the Birling family.
“All mixed together like bees in a hive”
TECHNIQUE: Simile in “like bees in a hive”
ANALYSIS: Mr Birling thinks socialists are like brainless animals. Uses similar to convey his dismissal of ideologies surrounding communities and social responsibility. Finds concept of socialism comical.
“She had a lot to say- far too much- so she had to go”
TECHNIQUE: Shorter sentences like “she had a lot to say”
Caesuras “-“
ANALYSIS: Shows Mr Birling has more hesitation and is starting to loose control/ power. Not as powerful as he thought he was. Starts to speak in shorter more fragmented sentences. Language becomes more colloquial. Lack of sympathy or regret.
“Still, I cant accept any responsibility”
TECHNIQUE: Assertive language AND Contraction in “can’t”
ANALYSIS: Starts to use contractions as is shows his lack of sympathy and that he cannot be bothered to finish his words fully. Embodiment of the Bourgeoisie who exploit but take no responsibility for the harm they cause
