An Inspector Calls - Mr Birling

Mr Birling

ARTHUR BIRLING is a heavy looking rather portentous man in his middle fifties

this is the stage direction where Mr Birling is first introduced

“heavy looking“ - overweight which can signify greed physically and metaphorically

like the furniture - he is big and heavy making him static and unlikely to change / won’t change

portentous - believes he is important / more important than he actually is / self important

“nobody wants war except some half-uncivilised folks“

“the titanic. unsinkable. absolutely unsinkable“

Priestly makes Mr Birling factually wrong to make the audience view against him and his capatilist views

Mr Birling is trying to impress his peers but instead he shows his arrogance and lack of awareness of what is happening around him

A 1945 audience knows he is wrong because they have just experienced a war and the consequences it has had on society - it also makes them feel critised by what they have experienced

also Mr Birling thought the titanic couldn’t sink because it cost alot of money causing it to be factually wrong again - only cares about money

Mr Birling furhter believes the upper class has power making them untouchable whcih mirrors his attidues to society

dramatic irony - audience knows there was a war and that the titanic sank

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

Mr Birling has an obsession with wealth over his daughters genuine happiness. Because Gerald comes from a wealthy family Mr Birling tires to impress Gerald

“working together for lower costs and higher prices“

Mr Birlings capitalist views make him strive for money and for his own benefit not caring about his workers

he does not consider the effect “higher prices” will have on others because he is selfish and only thinks of himself and wants money

he uses Sheilas engagement to Gerald to try talk about business and Geralds parents as they are competing buisnesses

“working together“ is ironic because he only wants to work together with benefiting from the wealth - he thinks he is doing justice to the world but it is only causing more struggle to those of the lower working classes

“nothing to do with you Sheila. Run Along”

Arthur’s patronising imperative “run along” infantilises Sheila, reinforcing his patriarchal and Capatilist belief that women should not engage with business or moral discussions.

This dismissal highlights the generational divide, as Arthur refuses to accept responsibility or listen to younger voices or opinions.

Priestley criticises the arrogance of the older capitalist generation and suggests that silencing women prevents social progress.

this can link to the context of WW2 - women in place of men with jobs etc

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

Mr Birlings capatilsit views are shown through this quote

he references himself twice “his“ and “himself“ showing how he prioritises himself above everyone else

he also puts himself in-front of his family showing different levels of prioritisation

Priestley criticises this mindset, presenting it as morally flawed and socially dangerous compared to collective responsibility.

“if you don’t come down sharply on these people they would soon be asking for the earth“

Mr Birling often refers to people within lower and working classes as “these“ and “they“. through doing this he dehumanises everyone who he thinks is beneath him

“asking for the earth“ - he exaggerates (hyperbole) what people of the working classes such as Eva Smith need. They aren’t asking for the literal earth, they need money and basic necessaties to survive

Mr Birling as a man of the middle class has everything he needs and more when people such as Eva are struggling - Birling refuses to give her a pay raise when striking

“as if we are all mixed together like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense“

Arthur mocks the idea of social responsibility, describing it as “nonsense” and using a simile comparing people to “bees in a hive,” which he ridicules.

the use of the similie to compare society to bees shows that there are working class systems which Mr Birlings knows about but he is dismissing them as working too - Bees are known for having a good community and system within their hive

Priestley contrasts this with the Inspector’s message, highlighting Arthur’s moral ignorance and the dangers of selfish, capitalist thinking

“I accept no responsibility“

Mr Birling shows no remorse towards what has happened towards Eva Smith and therefore shows that he collectively doesn’t care what happens to anyone of the lower classes

this also shows his capatilist beliefs of only caring for his own family and himself

shows the beliefs of the older generation compared to the younger generations who want to change and show remorse - generational divide

Priestly and Mr Birlings intentions

Mr Birling:

Represents capitalism, greed, self-interest, patriarchy, and the older generation.

Priestley uses him to criticise capitalist ideology, exploitation of the working class, and resistance to social responsibility.

He embodies moral ignorance and dramatic irony, highlighting how the upper classes fail to see the struggle of those of lower working classes