Mr Birling quotes

• "Provincial in speech"
• "provincial in speech" ANALYSE


  The adjective provincial is used to show the low class origins of Mr Birling. He has to compensate for his lower-class accent with material possesions
• "You'd ought to like this port, Gerald it's exactly the same port your father gets"
• "You'd ought to like this port, Gerald it's exactly the same port your father gets" ANALYSE


  The verb "ought" reveals Mr birling's insecurities regarding social status. He isn't hesitant to command Gerald (who is of higher class) like he would command Eric.
• "As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive-community and all that nonsense"
• "As if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive-community and all that nonsense" ANALYSE


  The simile "like bees in a hive" is an attempt by Mr Birling to trivialise the concept of socialism.
• "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself"
• "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself" ANALYSE


  Shows individualistic nature. Mr birling speaks in the third person in an attempt to make a philosophical element to his speech.
• "It's my duty to keep labour costs down"
• "It's my duty to keep labour costs down"


  Priestley uses the noun "duty" to emphasize Mr Birlings dedication to capitalism and profit."
• "If you don't come down sharply on some of these"
• "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people they'd soon be asking for the earth" ANALYSE


  They hyperbole is used as an attempt by Mr Birling to explain his rejection of Eva Smith's pay rise. However the absurdity of the quote reflects the absurdity of Mr Birling's refusal to pay a decent wage.
• "Probably a socialist or some sort of crank"
• "Probably a socialist or some sort of crank" ANALYSE


  The noun crank is an attempt by Mr Birling to condemn socialism. However the use of dramatic irony causes the audience to oppose Mr Birling's views and support the socialists
• "

  Why you hysterical young fool"
• "Why you hysterical young fool" ANALYSE


  Priestley uses Irony to further create a dislikeable perception of Mr Birling who insults and threatens his children.
• "I cant accept any responsibility"
• "I can't accept any responsibility" ANALYSE


  The use of adverb "any" reveals Mr Birling's complete lack of morality as he believes sacking Eva Smith had no impact on her life.
• "If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody... it would be very awkward wouldn't it?"
• "I've got to cover this up as soon as possible"
• "I've got to cover this up as soon as possible"


  Priestley uses this sense of urgency as Mr Birlings reaction to his involvement in Eva Smith's suicide shows how he is only focused on his social status rather than Eva's death
• "The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can't even take a joke"
• "The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can't even take a joke" ANALYSE 


  The use of the noun "Joke" is significant as it is ironic. This occurs just before the phone rings and a "real inspector" calls. Also, trivialising Eva Smith's suffering as a joke emphasises the static character of Mr Birling
• "Obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girls suicide" ANALYSE


  The adverb obviously emphasises Mr Birlings arrogance and disregard for his own social responsibility.
• "It's one of the happiest nights of my life..."
• "It's one of the happiest nights of my life.." ANALYSE


  This quote reveals Mr Birlings selfish nature. The use of the personal pronoun "My" life. Birling cares about the engagement because his reputation and social status could increase.
• There'll be a public scandal...and who here will suffer for that more than I will?
• "There'll be a public scandal...and who here will suffer for that more than I will" ANALYSE


  The rhetorical question is used by Priestley to demonstrate Mr Birling's self pity rather than sympathy for Eva. His social status in more important than his employees lives.
• "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"
• "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" ANALYSE 


  The certainty shown by Mr Birlings repetition of "unsinkable" demonstrates his poor judgement. The titanic did sink. This is dramtic irony to a 1945 audience.
• "Time of steadily increasing prosperity"
• "Time of steadily increasing prosperity" ANALYSE


  The great depression followed 1912 and engulfed post-war Britain. Therefore a 1945 audience would identify Mr Birlings opinions as unreliable.
• "Nobody wants war"
• "Nobody wants war" ANALYSE


  Priestley uses this dramatic irony to connect to a 1945 audience. This statement would have deeply offended the audience as they has suffered through the wars. This would have made them dislike Mr Birling and everything he stands for.