Act 2

What Themes does Mr Birling show throughout Act 2

Preoccupied with reputation

Misogynistic

Dispassionate to family

What is the first quotation

‘The press might easily take it up’

Analyse the first quote

.His only concerns is his perception in the public eye

.The ‘Press’ evokes a stronger emotional response from him in contrast to the notion of suicide

What is the second quotation

‘why my wife should answer questions girl you inspector?’

Analyse the second quotation

.The possessive noun my is a means of him establishing control to elevate himself

.The rhetorical question paints Mr Birling as patronising inside of the power struggle with the inspector as he immediately resorts to aggression

What is the third quotation?

‘what’s the matter with that child?’

Analyse the theirs quote

.His language transitions from the possessive pronoun ‘my’ to the demonstrative pronoun ‘that’

.This metaphorically expels himself from ownership over Sheila once she’s begins demonstrating socialist ideology

.The diminutive noun ‘child’ infantilises her and the socialist ideas she embodies