Mrs Birling

• "you'll have to get used to that, just as I had." Mrs Birling Act 1, highlights the gender differences in pre-war Britain, trying to teach Sheila about woman expectations
• "Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things" Mrs Birling Act 1
• "It;s you - and not the Inspector" Mrs Birling Act 2, exclamation, shows crack in the perfect family facade
• "You seem to have made a great impression on this child" Mrs Birling Act 2, belittles the effect the Inspector had, suggests his impression will be short lived
• "She had only herself to blame" Mrs Birling talking about Eva Act 2, only cares about her own family and improving their social standing
• "Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility" Mrs Birling, dramatic irony when the audience realises that the father is Eric
• "but I didn't know it was *you*" Mrs Birling, reflects social pre-capitalist attitudes
• "I don't think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this." Ms Birling Act 1, doesn't want Gerald thinking they can't behave properly - reputation, disapproves of Mr Birling mentioning business in front of Sheila, people thought women were unintelligent, fragile and emotionally unstable
• "It would be much better if Sheila didn't listen to this story at all." Mrs Birling Act 2, attempts to protect Sheila from harsh truths of life - suggests upper class avoids recognising working class's hard work
• "We are not responsible for what happens beyond our back doors" Mrs Birling Act 3, shows how she thinks society works - individualistic viewpoint
• "I was the only one who didn't give it to him." Mrs Birling Act 2?, refuses to accept blame - emphasises her selfish, uncaring and cold nature, views it as a victory
• "As if a girl of that sort would every refuse money" Mrs Birling Act 3, connotations of "girl" implies she was immature and foolish, disdain in speech showing she thinks all working-class women are the same, she thinks of Eva as someone who constantly debases herself
• "Gross impertinence... one of the things the prejudiced me against her case" Mrs Birling Act 2
• "wretched girl's suicide" Mrs Birling Act 2, adjective "wretched" shows contempt or annoyance