Mr Birling

• Theme: Class / Generational Conflict

The Titanic—unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.’’

• Technique: Dramatic irony

• Analysis: Priestley employs dramatic irony to highlight Mr. Birling’s ignorance and misplaced confidence. The audience, aware of the Titanic's fate, perceives Birling's assertion as foolish, undermining his authority and exposing the flawed judgment of the upper class

• Theme: Class / Social Responsibility

“If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the earth.”

• Technique: Hyperbole and dehumanization

• Analysis: Birling's exaggerated fear of the working class's demands reflects his capitalist ideology. Referring to workers as "these people" dehumanizes them, illustrating his detachment and lack of empathy towards those of lower social standing.

• Theme: Social Responsibility

“A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own.”

• modern verb

• Analysis: The repetition of "his own" emphasizes Birling's self-centered worldview. This statement encapsulates the capitalist ethos of self-reliance, which Priestley critiques through the play's events that demonstrate the interconnectedness of society.

• Theme: Social Responsibility

Still, I can’t accept any responsibility.”

• Technique: Modal verb and denial

• Analysis: The use of "can't" suggests an unwillingness rather than an inability to accept blame. This denial underscores Birling's refusal to acknowledge the consequences of his actions, highlighting the moral shortcomings of the upper class

• Theme: Generational Conflict

The famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke.”

• Technique: Sarcasm and irony

• Analysis: Birling's sarcastic remark belittles the younger generation's perspectives. Ironically, it is the younger characters who show growth and understanding, while Birling remains obstinate, emphasizing the generational divide

• Theme: Class / Gender

We’ve several hundred young women there, y’know, and they keep changing.”

• Technique: Objectification and commodification

• Analysis: Birling's casual reference to his female employees as interchangeable parts reflects a commodified view of labor and a patriarchal attitude towards women, reducing them to mere tools fo

• Theme: Generational Conflict

“Now you three young people, just listen to this…”

• Technique: Imperative and condescension

• Analysis: Birling's directive tone towards the younger characters reflects his authoritative stance and dismissive attitude, underscoring the generational tensions and his resistance to change.

• Theme: Social Responsibility

“Yes, yes. Horrid business.”

• Technique: Dismissive tone

• Analysis: Birling's repetition and curt dismissal of Eva Smith's death as a "horrid business" demonstrate his lack of genuine concern, highlighting the moral indifference prevalent among the upper class.