Essay Duffy little red cap

Pages 186 « MRS BIRLING (annoyed) Mustn’t what ? » to 190 « BIRLING (sharply, shocked) Sheila ! »

Mrs Birling

1. She starts Act Two very confidently, and ignores Sheila’s warnings, brushing them aside, dismissing them. How does she try on page 186 to bully the Inspector into backing down ?

(Note that in my answer I do not feel obliged to start by using the exact words of the question.)

She tries to make him back down in two ways[1]. First of all by suggesting that he owes her an apology[2], when she accuses him of being « impertinent ». A weaker adversary might at this point feel the need to apologise for being rude. Not Goole. Nevertheless Mrs Birling tries the same strategy again, when she remarks[3] « it seems to me that we have the greater reason for taking offence. », as if hoping that this time the strategy will be more effective. Goole in fact twists her word « offence » against her by using paranomasis, a pun[4]. He turns « offence », meaning « insult » into « crime », which is a domain where he is entitled to[5] say whatever he wants, and his authority is undeniable. Her second attempt is when she alludes to[6] her husband’s social position. This might create dramatic irony, as the audience know that while she was out of the room her husband had already tried this argument, but in vain.

2. How does the Inspector use a revelation to weaken her ?

He reveals the fact that Eric has a drinking problem, in a discreet indirect way. The way Sheila and Gerald are already aware of it is telling[7], Mrs Birling may be typical of middle class women who turn a blind eye to whatever they do not want to see. She is staggered, taken aback, and no longer in a state to try to intimidate Goole.

Priestley’s critique of the English middle class

In the 1940s English middle class one’s reputation was so important that people did their best to « keep up appearances », and it is still said today that it is best not to « wash your dirty linen (or washing) in public ».

Through the revelations made in these pages how does Priestley examine the middle class preoccupation with establishing and maintaining respectability, a respectable reputation ?

What comes out of this examination ?

The play shows a sordid reality behind the façade of respectability, the apearance of a perfect family. The flaws[8] and shortcomings of each family member are brought out, as well as the secrets and hypocrisy that undermine[9] their relationships. The parents are uncomfortable to have things that are not considered appropriate subjects brought out before them, their son’s alcoholism, their daughter’s abuse of her status, their future son-in-law’s affair.

The petty[10] arrogance both of the parents and, though to a lesser extent[11], the younger generation, is brought out mercilessly, as we see how their abuse of their status and influence resulted in Eva’s isolation and death.

________________

[1] I am announcing here, for clarity’s sake, how I intend to answer.

[2] Or we could say

...