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Arthur Birling
Mrs. Birling is described as being “cold” and Mr. Birling’s “social superior.” Throughout the questioning process, she resists the Inspector’s inquiries and reminds him, to Sheila’s frustration, of the Birlings’ high social status. Despite her reluctance, Mrs. Birling finally admits to having used her influence in the Women’s Charity Organization to deny aid for Eva Smith because she was prejudiced against her manner and offended by the girl’s falsely assuming the name “Mrs. Birling.” After the revelations at the end of the play that the whole inspection was a hoax, Mrs. Birling prides herself on having resisted the Inspector more than the rest of her family. And, like her husband, she feels completely relieved of any responsibility she had felt previously.
Mrs. Birling Quotes in An Inspector Calls
The An Inspector Calls quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Birling or refer to Mrs. Birling. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 2
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You know, of course, that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate?
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You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.
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Act 3
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There’ll be plenty of time, when I’ve gone, for you all to adjust your family relationships.
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This girl killed herself—and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. But then I don’t think you ever will.
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Whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did what I did. And Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her. It’s still the same rotten story whether it’s been told to a police inspector or to somebody else.
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Mrs. Birling Quotes in An Inspector Calls
The An Inspector Calls quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Birling or refer to Mrs. Birling. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2
Quotes
You know, of course, that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate?
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You’ve had children. You must have known what she was feeling. And you slammed the door in her face.
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Act 3
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There’ll be plenty of time, when I’ve gone, for you all to adjust your family relationships.
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This girl killed herself—and died a horrible death. But each of you helped to kill her. Remember that. Never forget it. But then I don’t think you ever will.
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Whoever that chap was, the fact remains that I did what I did. And Mother did what she did. And the rest of you did what you did to her. It’s still the same rotten story whether it’s been told to a police inspector or to somebody else.
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