Mr Birling

capitalism

hint a man has

"A man has to make his own way – has to look after himself – and his family too, of course."

"A man" → Reinforces male dominance in capitalism, suggesting that success is a personal (not collective) responsibility.

Repetition of "has to" → Emphasizes self-interest and determination, reinforcing his rigid capitalist beliefs.

capitalism

hint if you dont

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

"Come down sharply" → Violent imagery suggests that workers must be controlled and suppressed to maintain profit.

Hyperbole – "asking for the earth" → Exaggerates workers’ demands to justify capitalist exploitation.

capitalism

hint we may look forward

"We may look forward to a time when Crofts and Birlings are working together – for lower costs and higher prices."

"Lower costs and higher prices" → Exposes capitalist greed—he wants to cut wages while raising prices to maximize profit.

gender roles

hint she’ll make you

"She’ll make you happy, and I’m sure you’ll make her happy."

Meaning: Mr. Birling sees marriage as a transactional arrangement, reinforcing traditional gender expectations—men provide stability, and women provide happiness.

"She’ll make you happy" → Suggests that women’s role is to please men, rather than have their own ambitions or needs.

Repetition of "happy" → Reduces marriage to surface-level emotions, ignoring deeper equality or companionship.

gender roles

hint nothing to do

"Nothing to do with you, Sheila. Run along."

🔹 Meaning: Mr. Birling infantilizes Sheila, treating her as if she is incapable of engaging in serious discussions.

"Nothing to do with you" → Implies that women should not concern themselves with business or serious matters.

"Run along" → Patronizing command, treating Sheila like a child, reinforcing the male-dominated power structure.

generational divide

hint clothes mean sommething

"Clothes mean something quite different to a woman. Not just something to wear—and not only something to make ’em look prettier." (Act 1)

🔹 Meaning: Mr. Birling assumes that women are primarily concerned with appearance, reinforcing traditional gender stereotype

"Quite different" → Suggests that men and women have separate priorities, reinforcing gender divisions.

"Prettier" → Implies that women’s main value lies in their looks, reducing them to objects of beauty rather than individuals.

generational divide

hint the famous younger

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

"Famous younger generation" → Sarcasm, showing his disdain for youth and their changing values.

"Know it all" → Dismissive phrase, suggesting young people are arrogant, when in reality, they are morally aware.

generational divide

hint now look at

"Now look at the pair of them—the famous younger generation who know it all—and they can’t even take a joke." (Act 3)

"Look at the pair of them" → Dismissive tone, treating Sheila and Eric as foolish for caring about social responsibility.

Contrast with Sheila’s and Eric’s guilt → Shows how the older generation refuses to change, while the younger generation learns from their mistakes.

generational divide

hint well its my

"Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down."

"My duty" → Presents capitalism as a moral obligation, justifying exploitation of workers.

Contrast with Sheila’s later view → While Sheila learns that workers are people, not just labour, Mr. Birling sees them as a means to an end.

social class

hint if you don’t come

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

"These people" → Dehumanizing phrase, distancing himself from the working class.

Hyperbole – "asking for the earth" → Exaggerates working-class demands to justify their oppression.

social class

hint well its my

"Well, it’s my duty to keep labour costs down."

"My duty" → Presents exploitation as a moral obligation, reinforcing class division.

"Labour costs" → Cold, business-like language, reducing workers to figures rather than human beings.

social class

hint i was lord

"I was Lord Mayor here two years ago [...] there’s a very good chance of a knighthood."

Lord Mayor" & "knighthood" → Emphasizes his obsession with titles, showing how the upper class values power and prestige.

"Very good chance" → Highlights his self-importance and belief that wealth guarantees status.