3.2.2
Mrs Birling Quotes
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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
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Context & Key Themes
2.1Context & Key Themes
2.1.1Social Class & Equality2.1.2Class Tension2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism2.1.5Blame & Responsibility2.1.6Attitudes to Women2.1.7Characterisation of Women2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 22.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith
3Key Characters
3.1Mr Birling
3.2Mrs Birling
3.6Inspector Goole
3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Authorial Method
5Recap: Main Quotes
5.1Mr Birling Quotes
5.2Mrs Birling Quotes
5.6Inspector Goole Quotes
Practice questions on Mrs Birling Quotes
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