Mrs Birling Character Profile - An Inspector Calls

Alternative transcript:

whilst ignorantly turning a blind eye to her son drinking too much. o Knows little about her children Has a cold, uncaring nature • Refused to help a pregnant Eva Smith when she visits the charity and convinces others not to help her too. o Prejudiced o Judgemental • The least apologetic character due to her feeling no remorse for her actions • She does not change at the end of the play Quotes 'I don't suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide.' • Oblivious to the numerous moments of Eva Smith's life that went wrong. 'I realise that you have to conduct some sort of inquiry, but I must say that so far you seem to be conducting it in a rather peculiar and offensive manner.' • Mrs Birling treats herself as she is more superior than the Inspector in social status 'It was simply a piece of gross impertinence.' • Mrs Birling finds the fact that Eva Smith called herself 'Mrs Birling' quite rude o Focuses on this fact more than the girl dying after Mrs Birling refusing her help ▪ Avoids taking responsibility for said Death 'Naturally that was one of the tings that prejudiced me against her case.' • Links onto 'It was simply a piece of gross impertinence' • Showcases her more upset Mrs Birling is about Eva Smith taking her name rather than the fact that the girl died. o Tries to use this fact as an excuse of not being apart of Eva's death. 'I didn't like her manner.' • Tries to excuse her actions of dismissing Eva Smith help o Soley from how Eva acted when she asked for help and using Mrs Birling's name 'If you think you can bring any pressure to bear upon me, inspector, you're quite mistaken. Unlike the other three, I did nothing I'm ashamed of or that won't bear investigation.' . Unafraid of the inspector • Thinks very little of her family o In terms of being intimidated • Believes everything that she did was correct and justified Mrs Birling 'She was giving herself ridiculous airs. She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.' • Tries to justify why she denied Eva Smith help 'That - I consider - is a trifle impertinent inspector' • Mrs Birling sees the inspector as he social inferior • She tries to intimidate the inspector and prove that he isn't right about the situation 'We are learning something tonight.' • Sarcastic remark • Learning stuff about Eva Smith and the birling family as a whole 'I beg your pardon!' • Offended 'What business is it of yours?" • Believes that the inspector has no right to know about the charity and if Eva ever asked for help from them 'In spite of what's happened to the girl since, I consider I did my duty.' . Doesn't feel bad about how she treated Eva Smith • Believes that she did her duty Believes she had nothing owed to Eva • Believes she has nothing to do with the girl's death o Despite being the last one of the Birling's to see Eva Smith 'I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility.' Believes all responsibility of Eva Smith's death lies with the father. o Unaware of Eric being the father 'In the circumstances I think I was justified.' • Doesn't regret how she treated Eva Smith • Believes that she has done her part to the community through avoiding help to Eva • Believes that she has no connection to Eva Smith's death 'It wasn't I who had her turned out of her employment - which probably began it all.' • Doesn't mind shifting the blame from herself to her family as long as it saves herself • Doesn't care as much about their reputation as much as her own • Never been in Eva's position so she only assumes how someone would act if they were Eva and had respect 'She said the father was only a youngster - sill and wild and drinking too much.' • Unaware that she's talking bad about her son, Eric • Doesn't approve of the boy's actions Still holds respect for the side of Eric that she knows 'He should be made an example of. If the girl's death is due to anybody, then its due to him.' • Blames the father for the girl's death over anything that the Birlings did o Unaware that the father is Eric 'He ought to be dealt with very severley.' • Wants the punishment of Eva Smith's death to be the Father's problem not the Birling's • Unaware that the father is Eric Mrs Birling o Could act different and her options could change once she finds out if the father was Eric • Doesn't accept responsibility • Blames the rest of her family over herself 'You're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did.' Mocks the purpose of the inspector Proves that her opinion on the matter will not change • Continues to stick with the opinion of Eva's situation not being her fault 'But I accept no blame for it at all.' • Refuses to believe that she has any connection to Eva Smith's death . Continuous belief of not committing a crime 'Eric, I can't believe it. There must be some mistake.' • Instant change of opinion towards the father of Eva's child o Switch from it being his responsibility to a mistake must have been made 3