Social Responsibility - Mr Birling

Question 1

How does Mr Birling link to Social Responsibility?

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

‘As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense’ (Act 1, Page 10)

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

‘A man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family too’ (Act 1, Page 9)

Answer 3

• 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.

Question 4

‘Obviously it has nothing to do with this wretched girl’s suicide’ (Act 1, Page 13)

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

‘I can’t accept any responsibility’ (Act 1, Page 14)

Answer 5

• 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.