The Inspector - Treatment of Mrs Birling Flashcards
“If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, Inspector, you’re quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of or that won’t bear investigation. The girl asked for assistance. We were asked to look carefully into the claims made upon us. I wasn’t satisfied with the girl’s claim – she seemed to me not a good case – and so I used my influence to have it refused. And in spite of what’s happened to the girl since, I consider I did my duty. So if I prefer not to discuss it any further, you have no power to make me change my mind.”
This indicates her pure arrogance and her unwillingness to accept blame. If she cannot understand she’s made a mistake, she’ll never learn.
“Yes I have.”
He gives calm, short responses which shows that he is not afraid to challenge her in any way.
“That doesn’t make it any the less yours. She came to you for help, at a time when no woman could have needed it more. And you not only refused it yourself but saw to it that the others refused it too. She was here alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate. She needed not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness. You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.”
Lists all the things she did wrong in front of the family, shaming her for being hypocritical towards Eva. Talks down to her (like he does with the rest of the characters)
