Social Responsibility - Mr Birling Flashcards
1
Q
How does Mr Birling link to Social Responsibility?
A
- Antithesis of Priestley’s message of social responsibility.
- Cares about himself.
- Never accepts responsibility.
- His lack of compassion and resp. stem from his class and Capitalist ideologies.
2
Q
‘As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense’ (Act 1, Page 10)
A
- Capitalism vs Socialism.
- Intolerance of Socialism reflect Political disorder in 1910s, and suggests he is narrow minded.
- Harsh and insensitive language of ‘all that nonsense’ show heartlessness and disgusted by idea of looking out for others.
- Simile of ‘like bees in a hive’ imply social responsibility and primitive and demeaning.
- Phrase of ‘as if’ show he find idea preposterous.
3
Q
‘A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too’ (Act 1, Page 9)
A
- Family honour.
- Shows he prioritises himself over the duty to other.
- Repetition of ‘has to’ shows belief that men are born with an obligation to themselves alone.
- Delay before ‘and his family too’ suggests even his family come as an afterthought.
- A blind eye to other people’s issues.
4
Q
‘Obviously it has nothing to do with this wretched girl’s suicide’ (Act 1, Page 13)
A
- Rejection of responsibility.
- Believes his actions are irrelevant because he fired her ‘two years ago’ (Page 17).
- Shows a simplistic and self-serving view of responsibility which allows people to excuse themselves of blame.
- ‘Wretched girl’ reveals lack of compassion and blame - he cannot take responsibility because he does not sympathise with Eva.
5
Q
‘I can’t accept any responsibility’ (Act 1, Page 14)
A
- Rejection of responsibility.
- Modal verb ‘can’t’ suggests accepting blame would go against his nature.
- Shows arrogance and disrespect for others - accepting blame seen as weakness and sign of imperfection.
- His class controls his beliefs.