Mr.Birling

• What are the three key quotations for Mr. Birling?

  1. "The Titanic... Unsinkable."
  2. "It's my duty to keep labor costs down."
  3. "The famous younger generation who know it all."
• What does the term "personification" mean in the context of Mr. Burling?

  It means he is the perfect example of capitalism
• How does Mr. Burling embody capitalist beliefs?

  He believes he should not share and disagrees with socialism
• What are three key words associated with Mr. Burling's character?

  • Pretentious: stuck up and arrogant
  • Ostentatious: a massive show-off
  • Avaricious: greedy for money
• What does "pretentious" mean in relation to Mr. Burling?

  It means he is very stuck up in the way he acts
• How does Mr. Burling's ostentatious behavior manifest in the play?

  He boasts about his status when interacting with the inspector
• What does "avaricious" imply about Mr. Burling's character?

  He is greedy for money and reluctant to share his wealth
• What is the key quote used to explore Mr. Burling as the personification of capitalism?

  He is described as a "heavy looking rather pretentious man in his middle 50s"
• Why would a contemporary audience in 1945 view Mr. Burling's plump frame negatively?

  Because they had just emerged from a period of rationing and scarcity
• What does the "heaviness" of Mr. Burling symbolize in the play?

  It symbolizes his affluence and status
• What does "hedonistic" mean in the context of Mr. Burling's character?

  It means he has undisciplined tendencies and overindulges with little regard for others
• What is Priestley's intention with Mr. Burling's character?

  To satirize and ridicule capitalism
• What is one of the quotes that illustrates Mr. Burling's capitalist mindset?

  "I’m talking as a hard-headed practical man of business"
• What does Mr. Burling mean when he says, "if you don't come down sharply on these people they soon be asking for the Earth"?

  He believes that the lower classes will demand more if not controlled
• What does Mr. Burling imply with the quote about being "mixed up together like these in a dinner"?

  He implies that social mixing is undesirable
• What are the key themes explored through Mr. Burling's character?

  • Capitalism vs. Socialism
  • Individualism vs. Community
  • Wealth and Privilege
  • Social Responsibility