Blames Eva for getting pregnant and doesn't stand up for women rights
Class
She is a snob,thinks she's better than people because of her social status
Responsibility
Doesn't take responsibility
Blame
Character Description:
"about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior."
Her husband is more superior and dominant over her.
Priestley's Message (intended on the audience)
Priestley uses Mrs Birling to epitomize all that is wrong with society.
he represents the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes and shows no remorse in her cruel
treatment of Eva Smith.
Priestley presents her as an absurd haracter that ironically passes her own social guilt onto her own son
– condemning him
Priestley shows us that we should not trust the wealthy members of society to tell the truth.
Quote Bank (key);
“girls of that class”
Mrs Birling’s language is quite abrupt and dismissive: ‘that class’/ ‘that sort’/ ‘the type’. She believes she is
morally and socially superior to them
“I’ve done nothing wrong – and you know it.”
Mrs Birling uses imperatives as she commands the Inspector and other characters which conveys her
superiority, confidence and self-assurance.
“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”
Again thinks she's socially superior and judges Eva with out getting to know her.
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
Blames her own son without having a clue. Eva class gives Sybil the confidence to empower her
“I’m sorry she should have come to such a horrible end. But I accept no blame at all”
Does take blamer responsibility which show the readier and audience the role of the elder characters
“She was giving herself ridiculous airs...claiming elaborate fine feelings...that were simply absurd in a girl
in her position.”
Puts on a pretence of respectability by her use of euphemisms: e.g. ‘a girl of that Class’ who has found
herself in a ‘particular condition’
‘I’m very sorry. But I think she only had herself to blame’