Character Traits
Q: How does Mr. Birling view his daughter’s engagement?
A: He treats Sheila’s engagement to Gerald as a business deal, seeing it as a way to strengthen ties with the Crofts.
"Your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me."
Q: Which quote shows the possibility that Birling does care about Sheila?
A: He describes Sheila's engagement to Gerald as "one of the happiest nights" of his life.
He is protective of Sheila when the Inspector's interrogation leaves her distraught " Why the devil do you want to go upsetting the child like that? "
Q: How does Birling demonstrate wealth and social class to Gerald in Act 1?
A: He sees himself as on par with the Crofts due to his wealth and connections.
"It’s exactly the same port your father gets from him."
Q: How does Priestley use dramatic irony to make Birling seem foolish?
A: Birling’s confident predictions (about war and the Titanic) are incorrect, making him look ignorant, arrogant and out of touch.
"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.
"you'll hear some people say that war's inevitable. And to that I say – fiddlesticks!"
"The germans don't want war."
Nobody wants war, except some half-civilized folks in the Balkans."
"And I say there isn't a chance of war."
"The world's developing so fast that it'll make war impossible."
"silly little war scares."
"There'll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere – except of course in Russia, which will always be behindhand naturally."
Q: What major historical event contradicts Birling’s claim about the Titanic?
A: The Titanic, which he calls "unsinkable," actually sinks.
Q: How does Mr. Birling show overconfidence in his predictions?
He confidently declares that "the Germans don’t want war" and that the Titanic is "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable," both of which the audience knows to be false.
Q: Which quote demonstrates dramatic irony about war?
"The Germans don’t want war."
Bonus Quote: "There isn’t a chance of war."
"There'll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere – except of course in russia, which will always be behindhand naturally."
What is Birling's reason for firing Eva Smith in relation to his business?
A: He sees as a troublemaker due to her demand for higher wages and involvement in the strike.
Her demands goes against his the way he conducts his business.
"It’s my duty to keep labour costs down."
Q: How does Birling assert his authority in conversations?
A: He frequently interrupts and dominates discussions, showing his need to control others.
Q: Why is Birling more concerned about a scandal than Eva’s death?
A: He fears damage to his reputation and business, showing his self-centredness.
"There’ll be a public scandal."
Q: How does Birling’s attitude toward social class shape his worldview?
A: He believes wealth and status define a person’s worth and looks down on the working class.
Q: Which quote highlights his individualistic philosophy?
A: "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself."
"But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive "
"Community and all that nonsense."
Q: How does Birling reinforce gender expectations in his relationship with his daughter, Sheila?
A: He views women as delicate and naïve.
He objectifies women, viewing them as superficial beings.
"Clothes mean something quite different to a woman."
Q: How does the Inspector’s behavior contrast with Birling’s?
A: The Inspector remains calm and methodical, while Birling is flustered and defensive.
Q: How does Birling’s refusal to accept blame contrast with his children's?
A: He refuses responsibility, while Sheila and Eric recognize their role in Eva’s suffering.
Q:Why is Birling's representation of a capitalistic businessman so bad for society?
A: Birling’s capitalist mindset prioritizes profit over people, leading to exploitation and social inequality.
He dismisses workers’ rights, rejects social responsibility, and values wealth above morality.
"It's my duty to keep labour costs down."
"A man has to mind his own business and look after himself—and his own."
"Community and all that nonsense."
Q: What quote suggests his ambition for social status?
A: "There’s a very good chance of a knighthood."
"there's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next honours list. Just a knighthood, of course"
"I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List."
"I was an alderman for years – and lord mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the bench – so I know the brumley police offices pretty well"
"Perhaps I ought to warn you that [Chief Constable, Colonel Roberts] he's an old friend of mine, and that I see him fairly frequently. We play golf together sometimes up at the west brumley."
Q: How does Birling’s concern for status over Eva's death show his priorities?
A: He values reputation over morality, worrying more about scandal than the death of a working-class woman.
Context and quote: "Birling: (angrily) Yes, and you don't realize yet all you've done. Most of this is bound to come out. There'll be a public scandal.Q: What effect does Birling’s speech style have on the audience?
A: His long-winded and pompous speeches make him seem self-important and foolish.
Q:How does Priestley present Mr Birling as a warning to his audience?
Priestley presents him as a warning against unchecked capitalism, showing how his attitudes contribute to suffering, like Eva Smith’s tragic fate.
Q: How does Mr. Birling react when he believes the Inspector was a hoax?
A: He is relieved, focusing on protecting his reputation rather than learning from the situation.
Birling: (triumphantly) There you are! Proof positive. The whole story's just a lot of moonshine. Nothing but an elaborate sell! ( He produces a hugh sigh of relief.) Nobody likes to be sold as badly as that – but – for all that - ( he smiles at them all) Gerald, have a drink.
Q: Which quote shows his dismissive attitude toward the younger generation?
A: "The famous younger generation who know it all."
"Now look at the pair of them—the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke."
Q: How does Birling contrast with the Inspector on responsibility?
A: He takes no responsibility for Eva Smith’s fate, while the Inspector emphasizes collective responsibility.
Q: What does Birling’s final reaction reveal about him?
A: He learns nothing from the events, reinforcing Priestley’s message about the stubbornness of the upper class.
Q: What lesson does the audience learn from Birling’s failure to change?
A: While Birling learns nothing, the audience is encouraged to reject selfish capitalism and embrace social responsibility.