Mrs Birling Quotes

Mrs Birling - Key Quote (Act 1)

‘I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.’ Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 1:

Etiquette

Mrs Birling, being of a higher social class, understands the rules of pre-war etiquette (custom behaviour) very well.
She scolds (tells off) her husband for discussing business at the dinner table, when they are celebrating and her daughter is present.

Society and reputation

Mrs Birling is obsessed with how she and her family are perceived by others – she does not want to risk Gerald thinking that they do not know how to behave properly in society because this could damage the Birlings’ reputation.

Women

She also disapproves of Mr Birling mentioning business matters in front of Sheila.
- This is because it was not considered appropriate to discuss business with women, who were thought to be too fragile, unintelligent and emotionally unstable to take part in such conversations.

Mrs Birling - Key Quote (Act 2)

‘It would be much better if Sheila didn’t listen to this story at all.’ Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 2:

Family

Mrs Birling focuses on how her family should behave around other people – she feels that Sheila should not be exposed to the nasty reality of the tale of Eva Smith.
She tries to protect Sheila from the harsh truths of life.

Class dynamics

This suggests that the upper class did their best to avoid recognising the hardships of working-class people – these harsh truths are considered inappropriate for Sheila to hear.
Mrs Birling is happy for Eva Smith (who was around the same age) to experience them first-hand – because she is lower-class.

Mrs Birling - Key Quote (Act 3)

‘I was the only one who didn’t give in to him.’ Here's an analysis of this key quote from Act 3:

Refusal to accept blame

Mrs Birling views it as a victory that she did not accept any of the blame the Inspector tried to lay at her feet.
She is almost smug in this statement because she mocks the others for answering Inspector Goole’s questions truthfully.
In some cases, she mocks people for feeling the guilt he was trying to get out of them.
Again, this emphasises her selfish, uncaring and cold nature.

1Plot Summary

1.1Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary

1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes

1.2Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary

1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes

1.3Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary

1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes

1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3

2Context & Key Themes

2.1Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality

2.1.2Class Tension

2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption

2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism

2.1.5Blame & Responsibility

2.1.6Attitudes to Women

2.1.7Characterisation of Women

2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters

2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2

2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes

3Key Characters

3.1Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis

3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes

3.2Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis

3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes

3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling

3.3Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis

3.3.2Sheila Quotes

3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila

3.4Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis

3.4.2Eric Quotes

3.5Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis

3.5.2Gerald Quotes

3.6Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis

3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes

3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole

3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Authorial Method

4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony

4.1.2Structure & Chronology

4.1.3Structure & Chronology 2

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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