Mrs Birling

• Quote for social responsibility

  ' I think she had only herself to blame'
• ' I think she had only herself to blame' analysis

  • Priestly uses dramatic irony to make Mrs B look like a fool - the audience is aware that her actions very much caused Eva's death - it makes her morals very unlikeable
  • Mrs Birling speaks in a cold and dismissive tone to underscore her belief in personal responsibility and her detachment from the consequences of her actions
  • Mrs Birling's refusal to accept any responsibility also reflects the older generation's attitude and lack of development, unlike Sheila or eric
• Why does priestley do this?

  • Priestly may use Mrs Birling to critique the attitudes which where ingrained in the upper class that the working class are responsible for their own poverty
• Quote which shows social class

  'Girls of that sort would never refuse money'
• 'Girls of that sort would never refuse money' Analysis

  • Dismissive tone - reflects her deeply rooted class prejudice and judgement towards the lower class
  • Generalizes and dehumanises LC - 'girls of that sort' - shows she believes lower class is morally corrupt and stereotypes them to believe they are all doing immoral things to get money
  • 'Never refuse money' - she thinks lower class are desperate enough to always accept money from men, no matter the circumstance
• Why does priestley do this?

  • The quote reflects the upper classes belief that poverty was self inflicted - she reduces Eva to a sterotype and assumes she was doing immoral things for money - critiques the upper classes view on LC
  • Priestley critiques the rigid class system of the early 20th century and the attitudes of the upper class towards the poor
• Quote for generation divide

  'I accept no blame for it at all'
• 'I accept no blame for it at all' analysis

  • Unapologetic tone - underscores her refusal to see the bigger picture of social responsibility, unwilling to change her views on the lower class
  • microcosm for the upper class as she believes her status and wealth absolve her of any moral obligation towards others, UNLIKE SHEILA AND ERIC
  • Priestley shows how unlikeable mrs birling is due to her selfishness - encourages socialist views
  • She dosent change - Priestley shows that societal progress will come from a shift in mindset which the older generation is reluctant to
• 'I did nothing I'm ashamed of'

  • underscores the lack of SR in the upper class - critiques this attitude, urging the audience to reflect on their social attitudes
  • Class - prejiduce against lower class. entitled to act how she wants, and she is excempt of doing anything wrong because she is UC
  • Reflects the self rightous nature of the older generation and their reluctance to accept any responsibility unlike the younger gen