Mr Birling

Cards (10)

“heavy-looking, rather portentous man” 
He shows off his wealth and this symbolises greed.
”Portentous”: he brags to impress others
2) “rather provincial” 
Shows he is narrow minded.
Priestley wants us to know that Birling is an ideal capitalist man
3) “for lower costs and higher prices” 
Shows his pompous perspective - the engagement is discussed like a business transaction
4) “unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable” 
Makes him look foolish which creates distrust between him and the audience.
Dramatic Irony is shown
A metaphor for their family - He is unaware they will sink
5) “wretched girl’s suicide” 
Shows a lack of empathy and responsibility
Cruel recollection of Eva
6) “I refused, of course”  
Expectation that everyone agrees with capitalism
7) “I’d give thousands - yes, thousands-“ 
An empty offer
Tries to buy his way out of trouble and is desperate
8) “There’ll be a public scandal” 
Reputation matters more than morals to him
9) “(raises his glass)” 
Celebrates the escape of responsibility
Return to celebration at the start showing no lesson learnt
10) “the famous younger generation who know it all” 
Mocks them and hasn’t changed