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Mrs Birling Character Analysis An Inspector Calls Essay: Key Quotes and Questions

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Sarah

9/26/2022

English Literature

Mrs Birling, An Inspector Calls Quote Analysis

Mrs Birling Character Analysis An Inspector Calls Essay: Key Quotes and Questions

Mrs Birling is portrayed as a cold, dismissive upper-class woman who embodies social hypocrisy and lacks empathy for those of lower social status. She is characterized by her rigid adherence to class distinctions and her inability to connect with her own children.

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9/26/2022

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English Literature

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Sep 26, 2022

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Mrs Birling Character Analysis An Inspector Calls Essay: Key Quotes and Questions

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Sarah

@sarah_simpson

Mrs Birling is portrayed as a cold, dismissive upper-class woman who embodies social hypocrisy and lacks empathy for those of lower social status. She is characterized by her rigid adherence to class distinctions and her inability to connect with her... Show more

"About fifty,
a rather Cold,
woman and her husband's
"Social Superior:
• Cold woman is an oxymoron
because women at that
time were viewed as

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Mrs Birling: A Character Analysis in "An Inspector Calls"

Mrs Birling is a complex character in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," representing the entrenched upper-class attitudes of early 20th century British society. This analysis explores her key traits and their significance in the play.

Highlight: Mrs Birling is described as "a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior," setting the tone for her character throughout the play.

Social Status and Attitude

Mrs Birling's character is deeply rooted in her upper-class status, which shapes her worldview and interactions with others.

Quote: "I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide. Girls of that class—"

This statement reveals Mrs Birling's dismissive attitude towards those of lower social standing. Her use of "we" doesn't refer to society as a whole, but rather to the upper class, highlighting the social divide she perpetuates.

Maternal Role and Family Dynamics

Despite being a mother, Mrs Birling is portrayed as emotionally distant from her children.

Example: When confronted with her son's drinking habits, Mrs Birling is described as "staggeredstaggered," indicating her shock and lack of awareness about her own child's behavior.

This reaction demonstrates the disconnect in their parental relationship and Mrs Birling's tendency to infantilize her son, refusing to see him as a grown man capable of adult behaviors.

Hypocrisy and Lack of Empathy

Mrs Birling's character embodies the hypocrisy of the upper class in the play.

Definition: Oxymoron - A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

The description of Mrs Birling as a "cold woman" is an oxymoron, as women of that era were typically viewed as caring and maternal. This contradiction underscores the hypocrisy in her character and the upper-class values she represents.

Influence on Plot and Themes

Mrs Birling's actions and attitudes play a crucial role in the development of the play's plot and themes.

Vocabulary: Alienate - To make someone feel isolated or estranged.

Her dismissive attitude towards Eva Smith and other working-class individuals serves to alienate and further marginalize them, contributing to the play's exploration of social responsibility and class divide.

In conclusion, Mrs Birling's character analysis in "An Inspector Calls" reveals her as a symbol of upper-class hypocrisy and social insensitivity. Her interactions and attitudes serve to highlight the play's central themes of social responsibility and the consequences of privileged indifference.

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

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Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

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Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

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Marco B

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Elisha

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This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user