Mrs birling essay

• Mrs. Birling


  • Represents the cold-heartedness of the older generation and capitalism
  • Embodies the ruling class society
  • Lacks compassion or empathy towards anyone but themselves
• Mrs. Birling is described as "a rather cold woman….her husband's social superior"
• The specific reference to Mrs Birling as her husband's "social superior" establishes her privilege and stature in society
• The adjective "cold" evokes a lack of warmth and intimacy of affection or empathy, and can also be seen to symbolize the hard-hearted attitude of the upper class towards the less fortunate lower classes
• Mrs. Birling's character is constantly depicted as quite clinical and numbed of emotion or compassion, even towards her own family
• Mrs. Birling is described further on with the use of the adverbs "haughtily" "grandly" "triumphantly" in order to present her as exuding excessive privilege and pride
• The word "haughtily" has connotations of pride, privilege and boastfulness which not only depths a character intent on demonstrating her status proudly and creating divide but is also of the "sins" Priestley seeks to uncover
• Priestley uses Mrs Birling's role within Eva Smith's death


  To expose the ruling class' abuse of class supremacy to justify their corrupt and immoral actions
• Priestley utilises dramatic irony to highlight Mrs Birling's flaws when the inspector tricks her into condemning the father of Eva's child, who is later found out to be Eric
• Inspector: '"Go look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility"'
• The use of the imperative commands of "go" and "look" allows Priestley to emphasise Mrs Birling's intensive desire to blame somebody else and reject the responsibility she holds
• Priestley effectively uses irony throughout this statement through her constant attempt to blame others and deflect responsibility
• Once her hypocrisy is revealed, Mrs Birling is then described as 'rather cowed', 'distressed', and 'alarmed'
• The adjective 'cowed', meaning to become tamed and submissive, reflects Mrs Birling's complete deterioration of power
• Mrs Birling's speech becomes full of fragments that don't connect: 'No-Eric-please'-
• The fragmented speech echoes the collapsing of self-confidence and complacency of the older generations and could also be a reflection of the cracks and flaws apparent beneath the façade of capitalism
• Mrs. Birling's refusal to change at the end of the play reflects Priestley's criticisms of post-war Britain's older generation who he feared would hold Britain back from embracing socialism
• Mrs. Birling shows a stubbornness in her attitude, refusing to accept responsibility or grow as a character through "I did nothing I'm ashamed of"
• There is an unnerving lack of growth or development in Mrs Birling's character arc, so therefore she remains cocooned by the privileges of her social class and her 'duty' and she did 'nothing' she is 'ashamed' of
• Priestley is suggesting that the older generation/ruling classes never learn or take responsibility for others in society
• Inspector: '"She was here alone, friendless, almost penniless, desperate. She needed not only money but advice, sympathy, friendliness"'
• Mrs Birling is seemingly immune to compassion and her 'rather cold' exterior cannot be thawed by the warmth of compassion and empathy
• Priestley cleverly mirrors Mrs. Birling with Sheila who states: 'I know I'm to blame – and I'm desperately sorry'
• Sheila's metamorphosis and journey into accepting social responsibility emphasises Priestley's hope that the change into a more progressive and socially responsible society lies with the youth
• Mrs Birling: '"You have no power to make me change my mind."'
• The metaphorical 'power' of the inspector can be seen as his socialist values and while Mrs Birling, an emblem of the older generation, remains impervious to it, the younger generation can foster it
• Creation ex nihilo


  Creation out of nothing. Before God created the universe, nothing existed. Only God can create out of nothing.
• Evolution


  The process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environments.
• Imago Dei


  In the image of God. The belief that human beings are uniquely a reflection of God's personhood. Unlike the other animals, human beings are rational, free and moral.
• Inspiration


  "God breathed" The belief that the Spirit of God guides an individual to act or write what is good and true.
• Omnipotence


  The belief that God is all powerful.
• Revelation


  The word used to describe all of the ways in which God makes himself known to human beings. Christians believe that God does this finally and fully in the person of Jesus Christ.
• Stewardship


  The duty to care for creation responsibly, as stewards rather than consumers, and to protect it for future generations.
• Transcendence


  Existing outside of space and time; God exists in a way that makes him nothing like anything else that exists, above and beyond creation.
• Conscience


  Human reason making moral decisions. The knowledge we have of what is right and wrong and the God-given compulsion within all human beings to do what is right and to avoid what is evil.
• Evil


  The absence of good and the impulse to seek our own desires at the expense of the good of others which often results in suffering.
• Free-will


  The decision making part of a person's mind is called the will. A will is free if a person is able to choose right from wrong without being controlled by other forces.
• Goodness


  The quality of being like God: seeking the well-being of others selflessly.