AIC- Quotes meanings

• How is Arthur Birling described in the stage directions?

  He is a heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me"?

  He values the engagement as it strengthens business ties and family connections.
• What does Arthur Birling imply by saying, "We may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together"?

  He suggests a future collaboration for mutual benefit in business.
• What does Arthur Birling mean by "Just because the miners came out on strike, there’s a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the future"?

  He dismisses concerns about labor unrest as exaggerated and unfounded.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he states, "We employers are coming together to see that our interests – and the interests of Capital – are properly protected"?

  He emphasizes the need for employers to unite to safeguard their financial interests.
• What does Arthur Birling imply when he says, "You’ll hear some people say that war is inevitable. And to that I say – fiddlesticks!"?

  He dismisses the idea of inevitable war as nonsense and believes in peace.
• What does Arthur Birling mean by "There’s a fair chance that I may find myself into the next honours list"?

  He expresses confidence in being recognized for his contributions to society.
• What does Arthur Birling imply with "By the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you’d think everybody has to look after everybody else"?

  He criticizes the idea of collective responsibility as unrealistic and foolish.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own"?

  He advocates for individualism and self-interest over communal responsibility.
• What does Arthur Birling imply when he states, "As it happened more than eighteen months ago – nearly two years ago – obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl’s suicide"?

  He believes that past events are irrelevant to the current situation.
• What is Arthur Birling's stance on responsibility when he says, "I can’t accept any responsibility"?

  He refuses to take accountability for the girl's death.
• What does Arthur Birling mean by "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody… it would be very awkward wouldn’t it?"

  He suggests that universal responsibility would complicate life significantly.
• What does Arthur Birling imply when he states, "It’s my duty to keep labour costs down"?

  He prioritizes profit over the welfare of workers.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth"?

  He warns that leniency will lead to excessive demands from workers.
• What does Arthur Birling imply with "Perhaps I ought to warn you that that [the Chief Constable is] an old friend of mine"?

  He suggests that his connections may influence the inquiry.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "I don’t like your tone nor the way you’re handling this enquiry"?

  He expresses discontent with the Inspector's approach to the investigation.
• What does Arthur Birling imply when he states, "I’ve got to cover this up as soon as I can"?

  He is concerned about protecting his reputation and avoiding scandal.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "Why you hysterical young fool – get back – or I’ll – "?

  He shows his frustration and anger towards the Inspector's questioning.
• What does Arthur Birling imply when he states, "I care. I was almost certain for a Knighthood in the next honours list"?

  He is more concerned about his social status than the girl's death.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "There’s every excuse for what both your mother and I did"?

  He justifies his and Mrs. Birling's actions regarding the girl.
• What does Arthur Birling imply with "There’ll be a public scandal… and who here will suffer for that more than I will?"?

  He fears the personal consequences of a scandal more than the moral implications.
• What does Arthur Birling mean when he says, "(jovially) But the whole thing’s different now"?

  He believes the situation has changed in his favor.
• How is Mrs. Birling described in the stage directions?

  She is about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she says, "I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide"?

  She believes that the reasons for the girl's actions are beyond their comprehension.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she states, "That - I consider - is a trifle impertinent Inspector"?

  She finds the Inspector's questioning disrespectful and inappropriate.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she says, "I realise that you have to conduct some sort of inquiry, but I must say that so far you seem to be conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner"?

  She acknowledges the inquiry but criticizes the Inspector's approach.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she states, "We are learning something tonight"?

  She suggests that the inquiry is revealing new information, though she may not fully grasp its significance.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply with "I beg your pardon!"?

  She expresses indignation at the Inspector's comments.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "What business is it of yours?"

  She questions the Inspector's authority to investigate their family matters.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "It was simply a piece of gross impertinence"?

  She views the girl's actions as presumptuous and inappropriate.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "Naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case"?

  She admits that her biases influenced her judgment regarding the girl.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "I didn’t like her manner"?

  She expresses personal disdain for the girl's attitude.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, Inspector, you’re quite mistaken"?

  She asserts her unwillingness to be intimidated by the Inspector.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "In spite of what’s happened to the girl since, I consider I did my duty"?

  She believes her actions were justified regardless of the girl's fate.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "I’ll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility"?

  She shifts blame to the father of the child rather than accepting her own role.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "It wasn’t I who had her turned out of her employment – which probably began it all"?

  She distances herself from the girl's initial hardships.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "In the circumstances I think I was justified"?

  She believes her actions were warranted given the situation.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "She was giving herself ridiculous airs"?

  She criticizes the girl for having pretensions that she deemed inappropriate.
• What does Mrs. Birling mean when she says, "She said the father was only a youngster – silly and wild and drinking too much"?

  She dismisses the father's character as irresponsible and immature.
• What does Mrs. Birling imply when she states, "You’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did"?

  She is adamant that she does not feel remorse for her actions.