Mrs Birling

Priestley's intentions

  • represent wealthier classes and their selfish attitudes.
  • Puts across the massive gap between the rich and lower classes and how difficult it was for people of a lower class.

Introduced in stage directions

"smiling" - sophisticated and upper class

"haughtily" - arrogant and obnoxious(to inspector)

Words to describe her before inspectors visit

  • Upmarket
  • Obnoxious
  • Sophisticated

Quotations before her interrogation begins

"(smiling, social) Good evening Inspector." - Oblivious to surroundings and how the family feel about the inspector.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Shelia" Dismissive towards Shelia, views her as naive.

"I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class-" - obnoxious and arrogant.

Words spoken in response of Eva's death

" I'm sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame for it at all" - undaunted.

"Therefore, you're quite wrong to suppose i regret what I did" - resolute and undeterred.

What she did to Eva

Refused Eva help when she came to her charity pregnant, penniless and desperate.

Quotations during her interrogation

"Oh - a lot of silly nonsense " - believes due to her class she is lying.

"She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position." - Believes girls of that class do not have feelings. Obnoxious views.

"Oh - she had some fancy reason. As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" - scathing.

Quotations after her interrogation

"(rather cowed) She said the father was only a youngster - silly and wild and drinking to much." - Irritable that she is intimidated into giving girls story and has to stop talking about her position.

"I'm sorry she should have come to such a terrible end. But I accept no blame for it at all." - Shows she is un-compassionate and has not changed her views on the matter.

"Therefore you're quite wrong to suppose I regret what I did." - Does not show remorse for her actions.

Own words to describe her after inspectors departure

  • undeterred
  • obnoxious
  • remorseless

Character involved where there were dramatic techniques

Dramatic Irony at the end of act two where she traps herself and forcibly blames "some drunken found idler". The audience realise she is describing Eric creating dramatic irony.

The timing of Mrs Birlings entrance midway through act 2 means she is unaware on the impact the inspector is having and wants to control the events herself creating tension

What do you learn about the historical context through Priestley's portrayal of her?

There was a large gap between the upper and middle classes in 1912.

Personal response to character

  • Dismissive of lower classes.
  • Shockingly unaware of how lower class people are 'just like her'.
  • Appalled she shows no guilt for her actions towards Eva.

The rich viewed themselves as above the poor and almost 'inhumane'.