Mr Birling Quotes

Created by: kclubley2
Created on: 30-03-21 12:31

'unsinkable - absolutely unsinkable'
'Germans don't want war. Nobody wants war'

-dramatic irony as a number of groups wage wars a few years after the play is set, and it helps discredit the capitalist Priestly right from the start.
-portrays the didactic nature of Mr Birling, and goes through to highlight the Edwardian hubris (pride/

1 of 7

'there's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next Honours List. Just a knighthood, of course'

-social climbing, and may also imply that the reason Mr Birling married a relatively poor aristocrat (Mrs Birling), was a trade deal, he gets to climb the social ladder (due to her being his 'social superior'), and she gets more money, and by that we can

2 of 7

'I can't accept any responsibility'
'They'll be a public scandal'
'It has nothing whatever to do with this wretched girl's suicide. Eh, Inspector?'

-stubborn capitalist
-no remorse or sympathy for her death
-blames the girl
-feels as though he has done nothing wrong
-more worried about his reputation than. the death of a girl

3 of 7

'look Inspector - I'd give thousands - yes thousands'

-still as capitalist as he was before, he thinks money can cover for a dead girl
-says it 'unhappily' so he really doesn't want to part with the money
-he has 'thousands' to give but won't give the girls who work for him a few more shillings
-no characte

4 of 7

'Is there any reason why my wife should answer questions from you, Inspector'

-speaking for his wife as he views himself as more important than him although she is his 'social superior'
-shows off his patriarchal nature

5 of 7

'you better ask Gerald for that ring you gave back to him'

-ignoring that he cheated on her
-picking Gerald's side over his own daughter
-cares more about a business deal than his daughter's feelings or happiness

6 of 7

'the famous younger generation who know it all - And they can't even take a joke'

-views Eva's death as a joke
-he is trying to be sarcastic but in this case the 'famous younger generation' do know it all and are in the right
-highlights his arrogance

7 of 7

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

'there's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next Honours List. Just a knighthood, of course'

Card 3

Front

-stubborn capitalist
-no remorse or sympathy for her death
-blames the girl
-feels as though he has done nothing wrong
-more worried about his reputation than. the death of a girl

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

-speaking for his wife as he views himself as more important than him although she is his 'social superior'
-shows off his patriarchal nature

Back

View more cards

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Mr Birling Quotes