Mrs. Birling Character Analysis

Mrs. Birling embodies the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes in "An Inspector Calls". Her character serves as a stark representation of the societal issues Priestley aims to critique.

Key Quotes and Language Features

Quote: "girls of that class"

This quote exemplifies Mrs. Birling's classist attitudes and her belief in her moral and social superiority.

• Her language is often abrupt and dismissive, using phrases like "that class", "that sort", and "the type" to distance herself from those she considers beneath her.

Example: Mrs. Birling's stage directions change from "grandly" and "haughtily" to "rather cowed" and "distressed", illustrating her character's transformation as her pretenses are stripped away.

Character Development

As the play unfolds, Mrs. Birling's speech becomes increasingly fragmented, mirroring the collapse of her self-confidence and complacency. This transformation is particularly striking given her initial portrayal of unshakeable superiority.

Highlight: The breakdown in Mrs. Birling's language reflects not only her personal disintegration but also the crumbling of the rigid class structure she represents.

Priestley's Ideas

Priestley uses Mrs. Birling to epitomize the flaws in society, particularly the upper classes' lack of empathy and understanding for those less fortunate. Her unwillingness to accept blame or show remorse for her treatment of Eva Smith underscores the author's critique of social inequality and injustice.

Page 5: Gerald's Perspective and Inspector's Authority

This section examines Gerald's relationship with Eva Smith and the Inspector's commanding presence.

Quote: "She told me she'd been happier than she'd ever been before"

Highlight: Gerald's attempts to rationalize his actions contrast with the Inspector's moral authority.