Mrs Birling

5. “I’m very sorry. But I think she only had herself to blame.”

6. Technique: Apologetic language; victim-blaming

7. Analysis: The superficial apology (“I’m very sorry”) is undermined by the accusatory clause, shifting blame onto Eva and showing Mrs. Birling’s refusal to accept moral accountability.

• Theme: Gender; Responsibility

6. “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”

7. Technique: Dramatic irony; imperative

8. Analysis: The command to “go and look” displays a lack of maternal empathy. Dramatic irony is used effectively here—she unknowingly condemns her own son, illustrating her hypocrisy.

8. “He certainly didn’t make me confess.”

• Theme: Responsibility; Generational Divide

• Analysis: This defiance illustrates her disdain for the Inspector’s authority and her refusal to reflect, reinforcing Priestley’s criticism of the upper class’s lack of introspection.

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!’’

• Technique: Stereotyping;

• Analysis: The phrase “that sort” is a loaded, dehumanising generalisation that reduces Eva to a stereotype. The exclamatory punctuation suggests disbelief and moral superiority. It reflects Mrs. Birling’s assumption that working-class women are greedy and lack principles—exposing deep-rooted class prejudice and gendered assumptions.