mr birling character analysis

what is mr birlings character description -act 1

“ is heavy looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties”

how does mr birling show he only really cares about his business -act 1

“your just the kind of son in law I always wanted”

“working together for lower costs and higher prices”

-suggests he only values their relationship due to the economic gain

how does mr birling show he’s self confident and narcissistic -act 1

“and I’m talking as a hard-headed practical man of business”

-his speech is not cantered around the love for his daughter or son in law it focuses on economic status of country. priestly presents mr birling as a flawed man

how does priestly use dramatic irony to show that mr birling doesn’t know what hes talking about and to devalue mr birlings opinions -act 1

“you’ll hear people say that war’s ineviatable and to that I say fiddlesticks”

“unsinkable absolutely unsinkable”

how are mr Birlings behaviours not considered proper due to his lower upbringing -act 1

“Arthur your not supposed to say such things”-Mrs birling

-self made men are looked down on by aristocracy

-getting a knighthood is important as it would validate him to upper classes

how does mr birling show capatalist views and that his family are an afterthough

“a man has to make his own way, has to look after himself- and his family too”

-self centred priorities family are less important to business

-highlights individualisity of capatalism

how does mr birling try to intimidate the inspector which shows he only cares about power and influence

“Lord Mayor 2 years ago”

“I know the Brumley officers pretty well”

-his boasting can highlight his insecurities

-tries to use social standing to intimidate inspector

how does mr birling show he doesn’t want to take any role in eva’s death

“still I cant accept any responsibility”

how does mr birling show he doese’t value his workers as people and dehumanises them

“its my duty to keep labour costs down”

-just sees them as cheap labour and doesn’t care about their living statuses

how does mr birling further show he only cares about himself and not his family-act 1

“well of course if id known that earlier, I wouldn’t of called you officious and talked about reporting you” -reaction to hearing inspector didn’t come to just interrogate him

-politeness could be seen as birling flattering inspector which

how does mr birling try to persuade sheila to stay with gerlad-act 2

“you must understand that a lot of young men-”

-tries to justify gerald’s actions

what does eric say which gives an insight to mr birling as a parent -act 3

“you’re not the kind of father a chap could go to when he’s in trouble”

-always unsupprotive

-aprenting is not emotionally supportive

-birling had to ask why which suggests he is deluded and thinks he is a good father

how does birling spread blame to someone else even hthough inspector told them they all are to blame-act3

to eric “you’re the one I blame for this”

-not taking responsibility

how does birling show he doesnt’ care about eva only his reputation-act 3

“there’ll be a public scandal”

“I was almost certain for a knighthood”

-shows his self centered worries

how does Birling show he hasn’t learned from his actions

-calls up police station about inspector

“this makes a difference, It makes all the difference”

-only worried about the fact he won’t get in troubl an lose money

how is mr birling presented as rude and as not learned his lesson

imitating inspector “you all helped kill her” laughing “you should have seen the look on your faces when he said that”

-highlighting antisocialist views

-cruel as mean to children

what are mr birlings last words

“on his way here - to ask some -questions”

-pause shows his shock and horror that he has to take responsibility