Mrs Birling

Priestley presents the idea of This is evident in Priestley’s use of the This is effective because...
imperative command This indicates her presumption that she can still
control and command Sheila and Eric

Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to show Stop it you two Because…this style of language highlights her
us… sense of superiority
… a critical view of how she wields her
authority.
This depiction also works to depict the older
generation as mistaken in valuing manners and
tradition over human empathy.

Perhaps overall, It could imply that social appearances are more It might suggest her character is also a defender
important than reality to Mrs Birling. of good manners as she seeks to maintain
It makes her character seem dedicated to harmony at the engagement party
maintaining the status quo
Mrs Birling
Priestley presents the idea of
Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to show
us…
those born to high status in class conscious
Edwardian society are likely to be corrupted by
their sense of superiority and power.
Perhaps…
Priestley establishes Mrs Birling as an antagonistic
character from the very start of the play, finding
fault even within her own family
. treatment of Eva Smith that Mrs Birling
This is evident in Priestley’s use of the
reprimand
Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such
things…
It might…
Be used to show her critical stance over
such a slight matter early in the play,
foreshadowing the critical and pedantic
delivers leading her charity.
This is effective because...
the using this tone of reprimand exposes Mrs
Birling’s unshakeable self-belief created by her social
status
…because…
it implies she feels entitled to criticise her husband’s
supposed lack of social etiquette. Priestley shows
her disdainful attitude towards her husband.
It could…
Show how hypocritical she is as she has just
reprimanded her daughter for not appreciating the
importance of Gerald’s business and advised her to
accept her subservient position in relation to her
fiancé
Mrs Birling

Priestley presents the idea of This is evident in Priestley’s use of the phrase This is effective because...

The adjective ‘gross’ implies her intense disgust

Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to show Gross impertinence Because …

us… This appears an overreaction to the situation,
indicating her prejudice and blinkered view of
Priestley contrasts our expectations of her the working classes
charity role and her hypocrisy to completely
alienate the audience from the selfishness of
the British elite classes.

Perhaps It might It could

……her lack of empathy is juxtaposed to Sheila’s … reveal the snobbish attitude of the elites in
response, clearly highlighting a generational that she feels she deserves total respect … be that Priestley intends to alienate the
clash audience from Mrs Birling and her inability to
sympathise with Eva Smith
Mrs Birling

Priestley’s use of the adjective Has the effect of characterising Mrs Birling as Because
The adjective ‘ridiculous expresses contempt
Presuming she has superior status at Eva Smith’s morals, as if they’re
Arrogant incompatible with poverty.

Didactic purpose Ridiculous airs Because… Her language here is founded

upon an understanding that being working
Priestley seeks to expose the preconceived class is incompatible with maintaining moral
ideas about the working classes that are held standards
by the privileged, with Mrs Birling’s language
being so extreme here that she is like a
caricature (like an exaggerated cartoon
cliché) of the pomposity that Priestley
condemns in the wealthy
Mrs Birling
Perhaps… the adjective carries with it a tone
of disgust which indicates a demeaning
attitude & it therefore reveals the character’s
arrogance.
It might…be used be Priestley to expose how
Mrs Birling seeks to belittle Eva Smith
It could… suggest Mrs Birling’s character
here buys into the common cliché that
‘beggars can’t be choosers.’
…Suggest that Mrs Birling & the privileged
elite that Priestley uses her to represent
(epitomise) believe the poor aren’t entitled to
maintain their integrity.