Mr Birling
Priestley presents the idea of
Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to
show us…
That Birling is a microcosm of the wider
selfish Edwardian elites, and he seeks to
mock the status quo
Perhaps…Priestley seeks to undermine
Birling as a fool who has a flawed outlook on
the power of community
This is evident in Priestley’s use of
As if we’re all mixed up together like bees in Because…it conveys an attitude of contempt
a hive
community and all that nonsense
It might… be used by Priestley to highlight
Birling’s foolishness. He unwittingly uses a
comparison to criticise community which
actually demonstrates how productive and
profitable working together can be
This is effective because...
The comparison of the community of
workers to bees is meant as a belittling and
demeaning remark by this ridiculous
caricature of a callous capitalist
in the description of lowly, minute,
seemingly insignificant creatures who are
used to represent the working class
It could… highlight how disorganised he feels
community is as he uses the phrase ‘mixed
up’, when in fact bees are highly efficient
Mr Birling

Priestley presents the idea of This is evident in Priestley’s use of the This is effective because...
phrase It characterises Birling as a man who is
image obsessed

Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to Public scandal Because…

show us… He is intent on protecting what the external
That this epitome of selfishness is something world gets to see, hoping to promote a
that needs to be left behind veneer of respectability

Perhaps… this is used to juxtapose the It might… It could…

willingness of the younger generation to Be used to demonstrate that the older Highlight that he has learnt nothing from
accept collective responsibility with Birling’s generation are inherently flawed and cannot Goole. He remains self-centred as he does
selfish individualism be changed not repent for his sins
Mr Birling
Priestley presents the idea of
Conceptually speaking, Priestley wishes to
show us…
A pathetically blinkered caricature of a
capitalist.
Perhaps…Priestley deliberately uses this
famous tragedy to more broadly mock Mr
Birling and his values.
. highlighted through this assertive lecture.
This is evident in Priestley’s use of dramatic
irony
The Titanic – unsinkable – absolutely
unsinkable
It might… highlight Birling’s faith in the
progress and advancement of the elites,
viewing them as unshakable
This is effective because...
Priestley masterfully uses the retrospective
setting of the play by referring to the way
the Edwardian’s celebrated the unsinkable
Titanic in 1912
Because…
The use of dramatic irony here characterises
Birling as a ridiculous fool in the eyes of the
post-war audience who would have been
familiar with the tragedy of the Titanic
It could… the repetition exaggerates his
misplaced confidence and his unwavering
stubborn nature. His paternalistic speech is
Mr Birling
Priestley presents Mr Birling as static
Conceptually speaking, Priestley
demonstrates how immature the older
generation are
The younger generation recognise the
severity of their actions, while Birling hides
from this
This is evident in the declarative statement
‘The famous younger generation – they
can’t even take a joke.’
This suggests that he has not taken the
situation seriously at all
This is effective because...he patronises and
mocks the younger generation
He trivialises the death of Eva Smith
This is because he labels the situation a joke