MR. BIRLING
Find a quote in evidence of the following statements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
He has made his wealth through success in business.
He is a firm capitalist.
Has little empathy for those less fortunate.
In his desperation to avoid a ‘public scandal’ he tries to bribe the Inspector.
Preaching to Gerald and Eric about a man looking after himself and his own.
What does each quote imply about Mr. Birling? Explain your answers in detail.
1. ‘Probably a socialist or some sort of crank - he talked like one’
2. ‘a hard-headed practical man of business’
3. ‘I say there isn’t a chance of war. The world’s developing so fast that it’ll make
war impossible...the titanic is unsinkable.’
4. 'Lower costs and higher prices'
5. ‘The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.’ç
MRS. BIRLING
Find a quote in evidence of the following statements:
1. She patronises Eric and Sheila and shows her own selfishness by showing no empathy
for Eva - or the turmoil her children are feeling.
2. She feels no guilt or remorse.
3. Before she realises it is Eric, she puts all the blame on the father of Eva’s child
4. She assumes Sheila’s reaction is down to the Inspector rather than understanding her
own daughter’s intelligence/view of life.
5. ‘I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it’.
What does each quote imply about Mr. Birling? Explain your answers in detail.
1.
2.
3.
4.
‘You seem to have made a great impression on the child, Inspector’
‘Girls of that class’
‘I did nothing I’m ashamed of’
'Now Sheila don’t tease him. When you're married you'll realise that men with
important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their
business.'
5. I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.'