Mr Birling - character

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Which of the Seven Deadly Sins does Birling represent?
Greed, Pride and Wrath.
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How does Birling represent Greed?
Mrs BIrling is always wanting more profit and money, even if it is at the expense of his workers. Even the engagement in his eyes is a business deal. Mr Birling is selfish. All he cares about is that nothing jeopardises his business or future.
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Find one quote which tells us that Birling is greedy.
"may we look forward to a time where Crofts Limited and Birling & Co. are no longer competing, but are working together" "lower costs and higher prices" "she'd had too much to say - she had to go"
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How does Birling represent Pride?
Arthur Birling has pride in what he's achieved and worked for. He takes every opportunity he can to show off.
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Find at least two quotes that tell us that Birling is proud of his achievements.
"I was Lord Mayor two years ago" "I was an Alderman for years" "I gather there's a good chance of a knighthood"
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How does Birling represent wrath (anger)?
He doesn't like it when anyone threatens his future. For example, when Eric jeopardises his business and knighthood he is absolutely furious, because it could be the end of everything he's worked for.
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Find one quote which tells us Mr Birling is angry with Eric.
"explosively" "very sharply" "I was almost certain for a knighthood"
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How is Arthur Birling arrogant?
Mr Birling is arrogant, and very confident in himself. He claims that there is no chance of war and that the Titanic is unsinkable. Because the audience know this is untrue, they lose trust in him. His arrogance and complacency is very clear.
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Find at least one quote that shows Birling is arrogant.
"The Titanic...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" "silly little war scares" "The world's developing so fast it'll make war impossible"
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What are Mr Birling's views about women?
Mr Birling makes some very traditional points about women and how they view clothes and appearance. He is rather sexist by suggesting that clothes are more important to women than men. And he objectifies women when he speaks about them.
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Find at least two quotes about Birling's views on women.
"clothes mean something quite different to a woman." "Not just something to wear - and not just something to make 'em look prettier"
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What does Mr Birling think about capital and profit?
It is clear that Birling's driven by money, he is a capitalist. The fact that he sees his daughter's engagement as a business opportunity supports this. He wants a future of "lower costs and higher prices", this shows that he's greedy.
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What does Mr Birling think about socialism and community?
Mr Birling thinks that community is "nonsense" and that socialists are "cranks" (a person who has strange and unsual ideas and beliefs). He doesn't believe in collective responsibility or socialism.
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Find two quotes about socialism and community in Mr Birling's eyes.
"community and all that nonsense" "these cranks" "a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself and his family"
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Does Mr Birling feel socially responsible and how do we know?
No. He doesn't feel socially responsible for Eva's suicide. We know this because he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. He dismisses the idea that we are all collectively responsible for each other and says it would be "awkward".
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Find at least two quotes that Mr Birling doesn't feel socially responsible.
"If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward" "community and all that nonsense" "you allowed yourselves to be bluffed"
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Card 2

Front

How does Birling represent Greed?

Back

Mrs BIrling is always wanting more profit and money, even if it is at the expense of his workers. Even the engagement in his eyes is a business deal. Mr Birling is selfish. All he cares about is that nothing jeopardises his business or future.

Card 3

Front

Find one quote which tells us that Birling is greedy.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How does Birling represent Pride?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Find at least two quotes that tell us that Birling is proud of his achievements.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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