'An Inspector Calls': Mrs Birling Character Analysis (animated)
Summary
TLDRJB Priestley's character Mrs Birling in 'An Inspector Calls' embodies the Edwardian class system's flaws, depicted as controlling and self-absorbed. Her initial dominance clashes with Inspector Goole's moral authority, highlighting the middle and upper classes' complacency with the law. Priestley uses her to build tension, critique the era's social attitudes, and question the morality of a society where privilege blinds those in power to the struggles of the less fortunate.
Takeaways
- š JB Priestley's character, Mrs Birling, serves as a critical representation of the class system and its inequalities in Edwardian society.
- š Mrs Birling is depicted as a bossy and controlling figure, often reprimanding and directing others, highlighting her social superiority.
- š¬ The opening stage directions and dialogue emphasize her controlling nature, setting the stage for conflict with Inspector Goole.
- šØ Priestley uses Mrs Birling's discomfort with Inspector Goole's refusal to obey her as an example of the complacency of the wealthy towards the law.
- š¤ Mr and Mrs Birling's expectation of preferential treatment from the police due to their connections reflects a corrupt system.
- š Mrs Birling's resistance to confess her connection to Eva Smith adds tension to the play and showcases her reluctance to take responsibility.
- š©āš¦± Priestley's portrayal of Mrs Birling as self-centered and petty contrasts with the struggles of women like Eva Smith, who had limited support from the government.
- š The charity committee's susceptibility to Mrs Birling's prejudice illustrates the flaws in a system that relies on the generosity of the privileged.
- š” The presence of domestic staff, like Edna, and the use of bells to summon them, show the Birling family's adherence to outdated practices and attitudes.
- š Mrs Birling's involvement in charity work is suggested to be more about maintaining a certain image and wielding power rather than genuine altruism.
- š¤ Priestley questions the morality of Edwardian society by examining the attitudes and actions of a privileged family towards the less fortunate.
Q & A
How does JB Priestley use Mrs. Birling's character to criticize the class system in Edwardian society?
-JB Priestley criticizes the class system by depicting Mrs. Birling as a controlling and bossy character, emphasizing her social superiority and her attempts to exert authority over others, which reflects the inequalities prevalent in Edwardian society.
What is the significance of Mrs. Birling's initial dialogue in establishing her character?
-The initial dialogue showcases Mrs. Birling's controlling nature through her reprimanding and directing of others, setting the stage for the conflict with Inspector Goole and highlighting her privileged status within the family and society.
How does Priestley use Mrs. Birling's interactions with Inspector Goole to illustrate the complacency of the wealthy classes towards the law?
-Priestley demonstrates the complacency of the wealthy classes by showing Mrs. Birling's discomfort and inability to command Inspector Goole, as well as her and Mr. Birling's expectation that their connections should grant them leniency, which suggests corruption and a belief in being above the law.
What is the dramatic function of Mrs. Birling's resistance to confess her connection to Eva Smith?
-Mrs. Birling's resistance to confess her connection to Eva Smith serves to build tension and frustration in the audience, as they anticipate her eventual confession, thereby emphasizing the moral conflict at the heart of the play.
How does Priestley use Mrs. Birling to represent the self-centered behavior of the middle- and upper-class women of Edwardian society?
-Priestley uses Mrs. Birling's character to embody the self-centered and petty behavior he criticizes in his radio show, illustrating how some individuals, living comfortable lives, can be indifferent to the struggles of the less fortunate.
What was the situation for women like Eva Smith in 1912, and how did it affect their reliance on charity?
-In 1912, there was no NHS, no benefit system, and no access to contraception, making women like Eva Smith heavily reliant on charities for support during difficult times, highlighting the lack of government support and the vulnerability of the working class.
How does the charity committee's decision-making process reflect the influence of Mrs. Birling's prejudice?
-The charity committee's sway by Mrs. Birling's prejudice demonstrates the fallibility of the charity system, showing how easily it could be manipulated by the opinions and biases of the privileged class.
What can be inferred about Mrs. Birling's motives for being involved in the charity committee?
-It can be inferred that Mrs. Birling's involvement in the charity committee is more about the prestige and power associated with the role, rather than a genuine desire to help others, especially given her low opinion of the working class.
How does the reference to bells and the presence of Edna highlight Mrs. Birling's privilege and the outdated nature of the Birlings' household?
-The use of bells to summon Edna and the presence of domestic staff emphasize the Birlings' outdated and privileged lifestyle, contrasting with the changing social norms and the decline of domestic service by 1945.
What does Priestley suggest about the morality of Edwardian society through his portrayal of the Birlings?
-Priestley questions the morality of Edwardian society by depicting the Birlings' attitudes towards those less fortunate, suggesting a pervasive sense of entitlement and lack of empathy among the privileged classes.
How does the play explore the theme of privilege and its impact on the characters' actions and attitudes?
-The play delves into the theme of privilege by showing how characters who are apparently unaware of their privilege exploit others, reflecting the broader societal issues of inequality and the moral implications of such disparities.
Outlines
š Critique of the Upper Class: Mrs Birling's Character
The first paragraph of the script focuses on JB Priestley's use of Mrs Birling as a symbol of the class system's flaws within Edwardian society. Mrs Birling is depicted as domineering and controlling, often directing others in the family setting. The script highlights her initial interactions, which are filled with reprimands and commands, setting the stage for her character's confrontation with Inspector Goole. Priestley uses her resistance to the inspector's inquiries to illustrate the complacency of the wealthy towards the law, expecting preferential treatment due to their social status. Mrs Birling's reluctance to admit her connection to Eva Smith and her defensive stance throughout the play serve to build tension and highlight the self-centered nature of the upper class, as exemplified by Priestley's critique of post-war women who were more concerned with their own lives than with helping others. The paragraph also touches on the lack of support for women like Eva Smith during that era, emphasizing the reliance on charities and the flawed system swayed by Mrs Birling's prejudices.
š Questioning Privilege and Morality in Edwardian Society
The second paragraph delves into the broader theme of privilege and morality in Edwardian society, as presented through the Birling family. It discusses how characters who are unaware of their privilege exploit those less fortunate. Priestley challenges the morality of the era by examining the attitudes of a privileged family towards the less privileged. The paragraph also reflects on the outdated practices of the Birlings, such as the use of bells to summon their maid, Edna, and the archaic thinking that characterizes their lifestyle. The reference to the diminishing presence of domestic staff by 1945 and the family's adherence to 'old' ways underscores the contrast between their privileged status and the changing social landscape. The paragraph concludes by questioning the Birlings' morality and their attitudes towards those less fortunate, suggesting a deeper critique of the societal norms of the time.
Mindmap
Keywords
š”Class System
š”Bossy and Controlling
š”Complacency
š”Inspector Goole
š”Eva Smith
š”Self-Centeredness
š”Charity Committee
š”Privilege
š”Old Ways
š”Moral Integrity
š”Justice
Highlights
JB Priestley uses Mrs Birling to criticize the class system and inequalities in Edwardian society.
Mrs Birling is depicted as bossy and controlling, setting the stage for conflict with Inspector Goole.
Her initial dialogue is filled with reprimanding and directing others, showcasing her controlling nature.
Mrs Birling's obsession with maintaining a good impression is evident in her interactions.
The character of Mrs Birling is used to illustrate the complacency of the wealthy towards the law.
Mrs Birling's resistance to Inspector Goole's questioning highlights the class system's influence on legal expectations.
Priestley uses Mrs Birling as a dramatic device to build tension and create audience anticipation.
Mrs Birling's reluctance to confess her connection to Eva Smith adds to the play's suspense.
Priestley critiques the self-centeredness of the upper class through Mrs Birling's character.
Mrs Birling embodies Priestley's disdain for post-war women focused on their own lives rather than helping others.
The lack of government support for women like Eva Smith is highlighted through Mrs Birling's actions.
Mrs Birling's involvement in charity work is questioned, suggesting ulterior motives rather than genuine help.
The use of domestic staff in the Birling household signifies their outdated and privileged lifestyle.
Mrs Birling's ordering of Edna emphasizes the archaic nature of the Birlings' thinking and lifestyle.
Priestley questions the morality of Edwardian society through the attitudes of a privileged family.
The play explores the theme of privilege and its impact on the less fortunate through the Birling family.
Transcripts
JB Priestley uses the character of Mrs Birling to criticise the inequalities of the class
system evident within Edwardian society.
One of the ways Priestley criticises the class system is through the negative depiction of
Mrs Birling as bossy and controlling. We read in the opening stage directions that Mrs Birling
is āher husbandās social superiorā, and much of the initial dialogue afforded
to her character is based on controlling and reprimanding the actions of others. On screen
are a few examples taken from just the opening five pages of Act One where we see Mrs Birling
directing or controlling other characters:
āArthur, youāre not supposed to say such things.ā
āNow, Sheila, donāt tease him.ā āNow stop it, you two.ā
āArthur, what about this famous toast of yours?ā
āI donāt think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.ā
āI think Sheila and I had better go into the drawing-room and leave you men.ā
ādonāt keep Gerald in here too long.ā āEric ā I want you a minute.ā
Yes, Priestley immediately presents Mrs Birling as a controlling and demanding character.
Much of her time is spent obsessed with actions that might give a bad impression (presumably
to Gerald who is, at this point, the only character on stage from outside the family).
Priestley establishes Mrs Birling as bossy and controlling at the start of the play in
order to set up the inevitable conflict with Inspector Goole when he arrives. In Act Two,
Mrs Birling complains that Inspector Gooleās comments are āa trifle impertinentā and
in Act Three describes his questioning as āpeculiar and offensiveā. She is clearly
used to having her own way and cannot understand why she is unable to order the police inspector
around. Priestley uses Mrs Birlingās discomfort at having a police inspector refuse to obey
her as an example of the wealthy middle and upper classesā complacency when it comes
to the law. Both Mr and Mrs Birling name drop people they know in the police, expecting
Inspector Goole to give them an easier time. When people use their connections to avoid
prosecution, we call this corruption. Mr and Mrs Birling clearly see themselves as above
the law, and they struggle when faced with someone who is moral and insisting that justice
is served.
Priestley uses Mrs Birling as a dramatic device to develop tension. Of all the characters,
it is Mrs Birling who is the most resistant to confess her connection to Eva Smith. Mr
Birling and Sheila explain their link as soon as they realise they know her; Gerald attempts
to lie to Inspector Goole, but almost immediately thinks better of it and confesses, but Mrs
Birling lies outright for two pages, āNo. Why should I?ā, before finally admitting
she recognises Eva. However, even once Inspector Goole has prised this admission out of her,
Mrs Birling defends herself and dodges questions until the very end of Act Two. The effect
of writing her dialogue in this way is that the audience is waiting for the total confession,
and both tension and frustration are slowly building with every rebuff and refusal to
answer. Mrs Birling seemsĀ to embody here everythingĀ
Priestley disliked about the behaviour of
the middle- and upper-class women of Edwardian society. In his radio show, Priestley spoke
about women who after the war were more concerned about their own lives than helping others.
He described how he received bitter letters āfrom ladies doing nothing in inland resorts,
where their energy is all turned inward instead of outward, turning into hostility instead
of helpfulness and funā. Mrs Birling shares many characteristics with these women, and
Priestley uses her as an example of how petty and self-centred (or egocentric) some people
can be when they themselves live easy and comfortable lives, whilst others are struggling
to eat.
The situation for women like Eva Smith was made worse by the lack of support from the
government. In 1912, there was no NHS, no benefit system, and no access to contraception.
Therefore, women were reliant upon charities to help them cope when they were struggling.
Priestley uses the charity committee who are swayed by Mrs Birlingās prejudice to demonstrate
how fallible this system was. It is also worth thinking about why someone like Mrs Birling
helped out on a charity committee at all. Mrs Birling makes her opinions of the working
classes clear: that they will lie, they will accept stolen money, and they are to blame
for their own situation. If Mrs Birling has such a low opinion of the people she is meant
to be helping, why is she involved in the charity? We can infer that her ulterior motive
to work on the committee has more to do with how it looks to chair such a committee and
to wield power, rather than be driven by the desire to help other people.
Priestley presents another sign of Mrs Birlingās privilege in the reference to bells and the
presence of Edna. Mrs Birling tells Edna she will āringā from the drawing room, and
this system of bells for maids had fallen out of common usage by 1945. Priestley famously
claimed in 1927 that the practice of having domestic servants, was āas obsolete as the
horseā. The Birling familyās use of domestic staff highlights the āoldā ways of doing
things
where working-class women were made to workĀ in difficult conditions for very little money.Ā Ā
The increase of opportunities to work inĀ other industries, and the outbreak of war,Ā Ā
as well as developments in technology that meantĀ housework was easier to perform, all meant that,Ā Ā
by 1945, the presence of domestic staffĀ had greatly diminished in middle-classĀ Ā
homes. Priestleyās inclusion of Edna, andĀ Mrs Birlingās ordering her about emphasiseĀ Ā
how out of date the Birlings are now, andĀ how archaic their thinking is. The notionĀ Ā
of being privileged runs through the play:Ā characters who are apparently unaware ofĀ Ā
their privilege take advantage of othersĀ who are less privileged than themselves.Ā Ā
Priestley questions the morality of EdwardianĀ society through his depiction of a privilegedĀ Ā
family and their attitudes towards othersĀ who are less fortunate than themselves.
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