END OF ACT 3

‘I'd a special reason for not wanting any public scandal just now’
Mr B maintains a private understanding with Gerald- his closeness to Gerald emphasises how
there is a divide between him and Sheila, his daughter

‘has a drink... raises his glass’

ironic behaviour as drinking has created several problems in the play so far, conveying
clearly that they haven't learned a thing
the fact that they are celebrating worsens this- gives a sense of foreboding to the audience as
we know it won't end this way - it's almost echoing the beginning of the play and this
emulates the play's cyclic structure.

‘it frightens me the way you talk’

Sheila emphasises the seriousness of what they have done by repeating this phrase- rather
than being angry with her father she is afraid of his values- here she is presented as the
mouthpiece for the younger generation and hope for the future.

‘these others’
‘pointing to Eric and Sheila... look at the pair of them’
both sides alienating each other - generational divide

‘the famous younger generation who know it all’

Birling mocking his children, the audience start to anticipate the bad ending

‘nothing’
Repetition x3 adds force to Sheila's sarcasm, she uses a rhetorical device to imply that this is
not 'nothing' - more powerful in her speech

‘don’t stand there being hysterical’

‘she’s over-tired’
parents mocking their children, using 3rd person

‘telephone rings sharply. There is a moment's complete silence’

importance of noises, ringing phone echoes doorbell at start of play, cyclic structure, silence
follows so audience left to fill the gaps, outside world destroying the jovial atmosphere Mr
Birling has tried to maintain

‘what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel’

tricolon, Sheila's use of pronoun to make it emotive

‘what? - here-’
Mr Birling lost control, person hung up on him, question illustrates his confusion