Quotes In An Inspector Calls – Mr Birling
Didactic nature of Mr Birling, Repetition – shows that he
highlighting the Edwardian hubris. believes he knows it all.
‘The titanic – forty-six thousand Hyperbole – exaggerating
eight hundred tons – forty-six the idea it will NOT sink.
thousand eight hundred tons – and
unsinkable’
His arrogance makes him look
Dramatic Irony – as the audience knows foolish and untrustworthy.
that the titanic does sink in the end.
Dehumanises his workers by
making them sound insignificant. Exploits workers so he can make
as much money as possible.
‘It’s my duty to keep
labour costs down’.
Makes out like it is his moral obligation
Shows Mr Birling’s capitalist views – as he sees to be rich, and upper class.
his workers as a commodity rather than people.
Delivering a long speech about
Foreshadowing – the Birlings his capitalist and ignorant
allow socialism into their homes. views
‘A man has to mind his
own business and look
after himself and his own’.
Shows his selfish and ill-informed The irony of the idea of ‘look after’
opinions that have significant effects when Mr Birling refuses to be
on working class. associated with the working class.
1
Didactic nature of Mr Birling, Repetition – shows that he
highlighting the Edwardian hubris. believes he knows it all.
‘The titanic – forty-six thousand Hyperbole – exaggerating
eight hundred tons – forty-six the idea it will NOT sink.
thousand eight hundred tons – and
unsinkable’
His arrogance makes him look
Dramatic Irony – as the audience knows foolish and untrustworthy.
that the titanic does sink in the end.
Dehumanises his workers by
making them sound insignificant. Exploits workers so he can make
as much money as possible.
‘It’s my duty to keep
labour costs down’.
Makes out like it is his moral obligation
Shows Mr Birling’s capitalist views – as he sees to be rich, and upper class.
his workers as a commodity rather than people.
Delivering a long speech about
Foreshadowing – the Birlings his capitalist and ignorant
allow socialism into their homes. views
‘A man has to mind his
own business and look
after himself and his own’.
Shows his selfish and ill-informed The irony of the idea of ‘look after’
opinions that have significant effects when Mr Birling refuses to be
on working class. associated with the working class.
1
