Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1

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Mrs Birling - Key Quotes

Mrs Birling says the following key quotes in Act 1:

‘Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things’

Mrs Birling has strong views about appropriate conversation topics, both at the dinner table and in front of company.
She scolds (tells off) Mr Birling many times for what she thinks are inappropriate comments or topics.
But although she is of a higher social class than him, she still has very little power over him because he is the male.
This means he is the head of the household and in charge of the family. The rules of a patriarchal (male-ruled) society were more important than the rules of social standing.

‘When you’re married you’ll realise that men...'

‘When you’re married you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You’ll have to get used to that, just as I had.’
- Mrs Birling highlights the gender differences in pre-war Britain – women generally had much less power and place in society than men.
- Even upper-class women had to live by the rules of men.
- Mrs Birling highlights this by trying to teach her daughter about the expectations for women.

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.

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

2.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism

2.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna

2.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play

2.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith

3Key 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

4.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks

5Recap: Main Quotes

5.1Mr Birling Quotes

5.1.1Mr Birling Quotes Act 1

5.1.2Mr Birling Quotes Act 2

5.1.3Mr Birling Quotes Act 3

5.2Mrs Birling Quotes

5.2.1Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1

5.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes Act 2

5.2.3Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3

5.3Sheila Quotes

5.3.1Sheila Quotes Act 1

5.3.2Sheila Quotes Act 2

5.3.3Sheila Quotes Act 3

5.4Eric Quotes

5.4.1Eric Quotes Act 1

5.4.2Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)

5.4.3Eric Quotes Act 3

5.5Gerald Quotes

5.5.1Gerald Quotes Act 1

5.5.2Gerald Quotes Act 2

5.5.3Gerald Quotes Act 3

5.6Inspector Goole Quotes

5.6.1Inspector Goole Quotes Act 1

5.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes Act 2

5.6.3Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3

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