mrs birling

• “Girls of that class—”


  This reveals her condescending view of the working class, particularly lower-class women, grouping them into a stereotype and refusing to see them as individuals deserving respect. This dehumanising attitude reflects the rigid class divides of Edwardian Society, where the wealthy often viewed the poor as inferior. Priestley uses her prejudice to criticise a system where the poor are marginalised and overlooked.
• “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”


  This reflects Mrs Birling’s belief that the poor are inherently greedy and unscrupulous. Her assumption reveals the deep-rooted Victorian concept of the ‘deserving‘ versus ‘undeserving’ poor, where the wealthy believed that poverty indicated moral weakness. Priestley uses Mrs Birling to expose the hypocrisy of such beliefs. This attitude would have resonated negatively with post-war audiences who understood that poverty often stemmed from societal inequality.
• “I did nothing I’m ashamed of.”


  This illustrates Mrs Birling’s lack of empathy and self-reflection. She is resolute in her conviction that she did no wrong by denying Eva help from her charity, as her status blinds her to the suffering of others. In 1912, the wealthy often viewed themselves as moral exemplars, and Mrs Birling’s sense of righteousness encapsulates this belief. Priestley uses her moral blindness to highlight the importance of social responsibility, underscoring the damage caused when individuals fail to see beyond their privilege.
• “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”


  This reflects her hypocrisy and her eagerness to deflect blame onto others, not knowing that the father of the child is her own son, Eric. Her willingness to condemn an unknown man while remaining blind to her own family’s failings represents the double standards and moral corruption within the upper classes. Priestley uses this irony to show the dangers of rigidly separating classes and to critique the selfishness of those who refuse to see their own culpability.
• “Unlike the other three, I did nothing wrong.”


  This illustrates Mrs Birling’s self-righteousness and inability to engage in self-criticism. She distinguishes herself from her family, claiming she alone is blameless which epitomises the moral superiority often felt by the upper classes of 1912, who saw themselves as above reproach. Priestley uses her obstinacy as a warning against unchecked privilege, which threatens to perpetuate cycles of ignorance and injustice.
• “We’ve done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases.”


  Mrs Birling’s pride in helping ‘deserving cases’ reveals the selective nature of her charity, shaped by Victorian ideals of distinguishing between the ’deserving’ and ‘undeserving‘ poor. This approach justifies her refusal to help Eva, whom she deemed unworthy. Priestley uses this line to expose how the charity work of the upper classes was often self-serving and limited; his critique of selective charity underscores his belief that help should be based on need rather than arbitrary standards.
• “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it…”


  Her refusal to accept reality reflects her denial and inability to face uncomfortable truths about her family which captures the arrogance of the upper classes who often did this to maintain their sense of superiority. For post-war audiences in 1945, who had experienced the harsh realities of war, Mrs Birling’s denial would seem cowardly and irresponsible. Priestley uses her disbelief to underscore the importance of confronting and acknowledging one’s actions, as societal progress relies on acceptanc, not denial.
• “You know, my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago.”


  Mrs Birling’s appeal to her husband’s status illustrates her reliance on social standing and influence, expecting that this will shield her family from scrutiny. This attitude highlights the corrupting influence of wealth and power in Edwardian society, where social status often meant exemption from accountability. Priestley critiques this unearned privilege, showing that true justice requires that everyone, regardless of class, is held accountable.
•  “She only had herself to blame.”


  Mrs Birling’s refusal to see herself as responsible and her insistence that Eva caused her own death reveals her cruelty and lack of compassion. This reflects a common belief in 1912 that poverty and hardship were due to personal failings rather than systematic issues, allowing the wealthy to dismiss the struggles of the poor. Priestley uses Mrs. Birling’s cold dismissal of Eva to criticize the moral failure of those who refuse empathy and responsibility.
• “It’s you—and not the Inspector here—who’s doing it.”


  This reaction shows Mrs Birling’s willingness to turn on her own family to protect her social standing. Her priority is not justice for Eva but maintaining her family’s public image. This focus on reputation over morality highlights the shallow values of the upper class in 1912, whose primary concern was outward respectability. Priestley uses this line to critique the dangers of prioritising reputation over responsibility, advocating for genuine accountability.