An Inspector Calls- Character Analysis

Mr Birling Main Points

He is head of the Birling family - he is used to everybody obeying and respecting him. He is not used to people challenging him (Inspector/Eva Smith and later Sheila/Eric). He likes people to listen to him and be aware that he has power. 'We hardheaded practical business men must say something sometime. And we don't guess - we've had experience - and we know.'

Mr Birling Main Points

He is a rich, successful businessman - he is a self-made man/nouveau riche. (He is not aristocratic/upper class, but has acquired his wealth through his success as a 'hard-headed practical man of business' - he is upper-middle class, but always looking for opportunities to climb the social ladder - Sheila's marriage to Gerald/marrying Mrs Birling/getting a knighthood etc. 'your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me')

Mr Birling Main Points

He does not consider those who are less fortunate than him (lower class citizens): 'community and all that nonsense'. This kind of attitude angered Priestley, a committed socialist, who felt the Mr Birlings of the world needed to change. Birling is very traditional in his views: 'a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own - and -'The Inspector arrives here to interrupt Mr Birling, suggesting that his views need to be challenged.

Mr Birling Main Points

He rejects socialist views: 'But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive'

Mr Birling Main Points

He is very shallow, obsessed with how things appear to people. He makes sure that people are aware that he has been active in local politics, and has been Lord Mayor. He name-drops to the Inspector in an attempt to intimidate him. 'How do you get on with our Chief Constable, Colonel Roberts?...Perhaps I ought to warn you that he's an old friend of mine'. He wants to avoid a scandal at any cost in order to protect his reputation. 'I've got to cover this up as soon as I can.' 'I'd give thousands'

Mr Birling Main Points

He always thinks he is right and is very sure of himself: 'unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable', 'there isn't a chance of war' - the use of DRAMATIC IRONY here encourages the audience to perceive Mr Birling as foolish. His views cannot be trusted.

Mr Birling Main Points

He is a hypocrite - he says that 'a man has to look after...his own', but he is not a good father to Eric. Mr Birling is not supportive - Eric can't turn to him when he is in trouble. 'You're not the sort of father a chap could go to'

Mr Birling Main Points

He is constant throughout the play. He refuses to take responsibility for any part in Eva Smith's death at the start of the play: 'I can't accept any responsibility', 'obviously it has nothing to do with the wretched girl's suicide' At the end, he is just the same; he wants things to return to the way they were. He cannot understand Sheila's and Eric's insistence that there is something to be learnt. He is just relieved, thinking he has escaped a 'public scandal'.

Mr Birling Main Point

He still wants Gerald as his son-in-law even at the end of the play when he tries stopping Sheila from giving him her ring back 'Now, Sheila, you must understand that a lot of young men-'. This shows that despite knowing what Gerald had done to Eva, Mr Birling still approves of Gerald because having him as a son-in-law will benefit his business.

Mr Birling's Relationship with Mrs Birling

With Mrs Birling - not close - probably married her as she was his 'social superior'.

Mr Birling's Relationship with Sheila

With Sheila - treats her like a child, feels she needs protecting from the truth.

Mr Birling's Relationship with Eric

With Eric - not close. Eric can't turn to him when it matters.

Mr Birling's Relationship with Gerald

With Gerald - tries to impress him (as Gerald is from an upper-class family). Happy about his marriage to Sheila as it is good for business. Not personal/genuine.

Mr Birling's Relationship with the Inspector

With the Inspector - tries to intimidate him.

Mr Birling's Relationship with Eva Smith

With Eva Smith - abused his power over her. Threatened by the fact that she had 'a lot to say - far too much - ', so he used his power to get rid of her. Heartless/uncaring towards her.

Mr Birling's Significance in the Play

He holds the traditional, selfish attitudes (held by the wealthier classes, particularly the older generation) that Priestley challenged (through the character of the Inspector). Priestley was concerned about the consequences of social inequality in Britain, and the disparity caused by wealth and class divide. He believed that what resulted from this were the very characteristics shown in Mr Birling (selfishness, exploitative tendencies, power lust etc.) Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr Birling and to see him as a fool - by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr Birling, Priestley's audience could lead a better life.

Mr Birling's Significance in the Play

Mr Birling has not changed by the end of the play - he refuses to learn/take on board the Inspector's lesson. As a result, the play ends with another phone call and the announcement of a second visit - perhaps from a 'real' Inspector? Priestley may be warning his audience of the dangers of not learning the lesson (of social responsibility) themselves.

Mr Birling's Significance in the Play

By the end of the play, he has lost practically everything - his son is disloyal, his daughter is no longer obedient and has broken off her engagement (preventing the possibility of his business merging with Crofts Limited), and it looks like there might be a public scandal after all (if this second Inspector is real). Priestley seems to be warning us of how dangerous it is if you don't take responsibility for others.

Mr Birling - Priestley's Ideas

Priestley uses Birling as a symbol of the callous and heartlessness of capitalism. Through his character he is criticizing the complacency of capitalist prosperity.

Mr Birling - Priestley's Ideas

He is representative of the older generation who were unwilling to change.

Mr Birling - Priestley's Ideas

However, he is presented as a realistic character by Priestley through his use of colloquial language appropriate for the time. Furthermore, he is described as 'panic stricken' this indicates that his defiance and bravado have finally been shattered and so Priestley lets the audience see him as someone who is so blindly wrong and never as really in control of events as he would like himself and others to think. Therefore the audience is invited to feel sympathy.

Eric Main Points

We realise that there is something not quite right with Eric when he is first introduced in the opening stage directions: 'not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive'. He is clearly uncomfortable in some way.

Eric Main Points

Another clue that makes the audience suspicious of him is when Gerald jokes to Mr Birling that the arrival of the Inspector could be something to do with Eric: 'Unless Eric's been up to something.' Eric answers, '(still uneasy) Well I don't think it's very funny.'

Eric Main Points

He played a significant part in Eva Smith's death - he met her at the Palace Bar, forced his way into her home and got her pregnant. 'I was in that state when a chap easily turns nasty.' He then stole money from his father's business in order to support her. If this became public, the family's reputation would have been ruined.

Eric Main Points

He had a privileged education, unlike his father.

Eric Main Points

Eric acts as dramatic irritant to his father challenging his ideology - contradicting him / interrupting / asking questions.

Eric Main Points

Eric uses a euphemism to describe his sexual assault on Eva Smith: 'that's when it happened.'

Eric Main Points

Eric's language is fragmented as he becomes emotional / hysterical. The dashes could also represent the break down in his relationship with his mother.

Eric Main Points

As his attack on his mother continues, his language becomes more violent as he repeats 'killed' three times. The effect on the reader is highly shocking as this language completely contrasts with the polite, euphemistic language of earlier in the play. Priestley effectively uses the semantic field of heaven and hell when Eric describes what he did to Eva Smith: 'that's the hellish thing. Oh - my God!'

Eric Main Points

When the Inspector leaves, Eric emulates the Inspector using the Inspector's harsh, commanding language. Priestley does this so the Inspector's presence is felt on stage and a reminder to the audience to look at their own conscience. ("the girl's dead").

Eric Main Points

Eric's character develops - stage directions, e.g. 'uneasily' / 'unease'; 'suddenly guffaws' - by the end 'shouting'.

Eric Relationship with Mr Birling

With Mr Birling - he doesn't seem to have his father's affection or approval. 'Because you're not the kind of father a chap could go to when he's in trouble.' His parents care more about avoiding a public scandal than they do about Eric.

Eric Relationship with Mrs Birling

With Mrs Birling - she is clearly a poor mother. She has no idea about the fact that Eric likes to drink. When she finds out about his involvement with Eva Smith/the stolen money etc. she says, 'I'm absolutely ashamed of you.' He is angry with her for turning Eva Smith away from her charity, and effectively killing her grandchild. He yells, 'Damn you, damn you' and gets quite aggressive with her: '(almost threatening her) You don't understand anything. You never did. You never even tried'.

Eric Relationship with Sheila

With Sheila - they do not seem particularly close at the start. However, they share the same view at the end of the play as they have both learned their lesson. He agrees that 'Sheila's right' (that is doesn't matter whether the Inspector was real or not).

Eric Relationship with Gerald

With Gerald - he may be jealous of the fact that Mr Birling seems to be much more interested in Gerald than his own son.

Eric Relationship with the Inspector

With the Inspector - he respects him as he is willing to take on board the Inspector's views.

Eric Relationship with Eva Smith

With Eva Smith - he abused his power over her by forcing his way in to her lodgings (threatening to 'make a row') - however, he regretted what he did when he realised the consequences. He saw Eva Smith as 'a good sport'; clearly the relationship was just casual fun for him.

Eric's Significance in the Play

He was part of the 'chain of events', having a fling with Eva Smith and getting her pregnant. He treated her 'as if she were an animal, a thing, not a person.' At the start of the play, he was just like the others - abusing his power over a working class girl.

Eric's Significance in the Play

However, he accepts responsibility, and like Sheila, feels very guilty about what he did. He is ashamed of his behaviour and shows that he is capable of changing for the better. 'The fact remains that I did what I did.' Therefore, the audience is more likely to forgive him.

Eric's Significance in the Play

He represents (with Sheila) the younger generation - Priestley saw them as 'more impressionable' - after all, they were the future.

Eric - Priestley's Ideas

Eric has the most active social conscience - at the start of play he says: "he could have kept her instead of throwing her out". This demonstrates that there is potential/hope for the future. At the end of the play Eric shows remorse and his acceptance is evidence of his moral fibre.

Eric - Priestley's Ideas

Through Eric's treatment of Eva "I wasn't in love with her or anything" an abhorrent picture of the upper-class emerges. They are shown to be callous and cold. However, Eric illustrates the capacity to change - despite your past errors and your family's beliefs you can change. His transformation is more realistic - as at first he blames his mother for her death and then finally comes round to accepting responsibility.

Eric - Priestley's Ideas

On the other hand, he is presented as quite a weak character and is the most emotional and demonstrative of all. This leads the audience to question whether he can change his ways for good or is he too weak and dependent on his parents.

Eric - Priestley's Ideas

When Eric gives Eva stolen money, Priestley could be commenting that wealth does not replace goodness and integrity - there needed to be a more even distribution of wealth so people like Eric become socially aware.

Sheila Main Points

She has the potential to change - by the end of the play, she has matured considerably and has taken on the Inspector's (Priestley's) message. She grows stronger and more sympathetic. She accepts responsibility and learns from what has happened and tries to encourage others to do the same: 'it frightens me the way you talk'. She tries to make them stop their 'silly pretences' as she is now aware of the dangers of such attitudes.

Sheila Main Points

Sheila uses imagery when she talks of her mother's attempts to 'build up a kind of wall'; implying the metaphorical distance Mrs Birling creates between the classes. When Sheila warns the others that the Inspector is 'giving us rope so that we hang
ourselves', she once again uses a metaphor to create a visual image of the way the Inspector skilfully manipulates characters
into confessing their sins.

Sheila Main Points

Sheila's language also reflects her increasing maturity as she begins the play saying "mummy" using a lot of personal pronouns to highlight her selfish, childlike attitude at the start of the play. As the play progresses she refers to Mrs Birling as
"mother" which reflects this change and perhaps she doesn't feel as intimate with her mother and has lost respect for her because of the way she is behaving.

Sheila Main Points

Sheila's language becomes more passionate and she uses sarcasm ("So nothing's happened, so there's nothing to be sorry for, nothing to learn.") Sheila also uses irony when she is appalled by her parents' attitudes to carry on as before: "I suppose we're all nice people now". Sheila uses irony to show that she completely disagrees with her parents and that she understands the moral consequences of her actions. The use of irony highlights the tensions that existed between the younger and older generations.

Sheila Main Points

Sheila and Eric are less restrained and their use of slang expressions such as 'squiffy' which shock their parents and highlight the disagreements between the generations.

Sheila Main Points

Stage directions- she "shivers", "tensely" - shows her fear.

Sheila Main Points

Shows she becomes a bit like the Inspector - asking questions, contradicting her mother.

Sheila Main Points

Sheila significantly refuses to take back Gerald's ring and interestingly she uses phrases reminiscent of the Inspector in her reply, "not yet" and "It's too soon" which emphasises the importance of timing - the telephone rings just after.

Sheila's Relationship with Mr Birling

With Mr Birling - he patronises her from the start, trying to protect her from the reality of the situation. He sees her as a 'child'. 'I do protest against the way in which my daughter, a young unmarried girl, is being dragged into this.' As the play progresses, she challenges his attitudes and criticises his actions. It was unusual for a daughter to do this to her father at this time - they were supposed to be respectful.

Shelia's Relationship with Mrs Birling

With Mrs Birling - she thought her mother's actions (turning Eva Smith away) were 'cruel and vile'.

Sheila's Relationship with Eric

With Eric - she holds very similar views to him at the end of the play - they seem to stand together (as the 'younger generation') to challenge the views of Mr/Mrs Birling and Gerald.

Sheila's Relationship with Gerald

With Gerald - she is excited about their engagement in the opening scene; however, there is tension there as she questions him on his whereabouts 'last summer'. Once she hears about his affair, she is disgusted and hurt ('But you're forgetting I'm supposed to be engaged to the hero of it.' - sarcastic), but she does respect his honesty. She is not ready to take back the ring. She says, 'It's too soon. I must think.' She knows a lot has to change before she can take him back.

Sheila's Relationship with The Inspector

With the Inspector - she is curious from the start and is aware that there is something not quite right about him. However, she listens to his message and learns from it, showing respect.

Sheila's Relationship with Eva Smith

With Eva Smith - at the time of their meeting, she acted selfishly and jealously towards her, using her power (and family name) to get her sacked. 'And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer...to punish the girl just because she made you feel like that?' POSSIBLY BECAUSE SHE WAS UNAWARE OF THE ATROCITIES EVA AND WOMEN LIKE HER GO THROUGH- BECAUSE SHE IS SHIELDED FROM THAT STUFF BY HER PARENTS. However, after she realises the consequences of her actions, she genuinely regrets what she did.

Sheila's Significance in the Play

She learns her lesson. She takes responsibility and changes; she also tries to encourage others to do the same.

Sheila's Significance in the Play

She represents (with Eric) the younger generation - Priestley saw them as 'more impressionable' - after all, they were the future.

Sheila's Significance in the Play

She gives the audience hope that their society can improve.

Sheila - Priestley's Ideas

Priestley uses the character of Sheila to represent his own views of social responsibility.

Sheila - Priestley's Ideas

She offers hope for the future and Priestley uses Shelia as an example of people's changing attitudes towards those less fortunate than themselves. She is sympathetic towards Eva and other girls in her position, recognising that they were "not just cheap labour but people". She accepts that her actions impacted on Eva's life and that she cannot disconnect her actions from the effects these have on others. She recognises and understands the Inspector's message that we are all collectively responsible for all that happens in the world.

Sheila - Priestley's Ideas

At times she acts as almost an assistant to the Inspector, in that she supports his criticism of the other characters, becoming his mouthpiece when he has left the stage. Sheila's character becomes quite didactic and this can make her a character with whom the audience do not sympathise with as her change has happened far too quickly and so she is in some ways quite unrealistic.

Mrs Birling Main Points

The first time we meet her, she is described as 'a rather cold woman'. We get the impression that there is no warmth to her character and therefore it is difficult to like her.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She is very aware of the rules of etiquette (social behaviour) - for example, she corrects her husband when he compliments the cook: '(reproachfully) Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things - ' This reminds us that she is 'her husband's social superior'.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She sees herself as above others - when talking about Eva Smith, she says, 'Girls of that class - '. The word 'that' suggests that she prefers to detach herself from anyone who belongs to a class lower than her own.

Mrs Birling Main Points

Mrs Birling's language is quite abrupt and dismissive: 'that class'/ 'that sort'/ 'the type'. She believes she is morally and socially superior to them - she is a snob.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She refuses to accept any responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. 'I accept no blame for it at all.'/'I was perfectly justified' (refusing her help)

Mrs Birling Main Points

She refuses to let the Inspector shake her: 'You have no power to make me change my mind.' - she sees herself as the most powerful because of her status. She is rude to him when she says, 'I've done nothing wrong - and you know it.'

Mrs Birling Main Points

She accepts her place as a woman in society: 'you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy on their business' - perhaps this highlights cracks in her relationship with her husband?

Mrs Birling Main Points

She does not show any sympathy for Eva Smith: 'You're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did.' - haughty tone? 'I did nothing I'm ashamed of' - shows no remorse.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She prefers to pass the blame/responsibility on to others - perhaps Priestley is criticising her for this when he makes her look like a fool at the end of Act 2 (she doesn't realise that Eric is the father). Is she being punished in some way?

Mrs Birling Main Points

Puts on a pretence of respectability by her use of euphemisms: e.g. 'a girl of that Class' who has found herself in a 'particular condition'.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She thinks her social status protects her from the harsh realities of the world.

Mrs Birling Main Points

The stage descriptions of her actions change as the pretence is revealed e.g. 'grandly' / 'haughtily'/ 'triumphantly' become 'rather cowed'/ 'distressed' 'staggered' / 'alarmed'.

Mrs Birling Main Points

Later in the play Mrs Birling's language is broken up into fragments that don't connect: 'No-Eric-please'. The fragmented speech echoes the collapsing of self-confidence and complacency of these very comfortable, middle class, wealthy characters. This is more shocking because of the contrast with how they were at the start of the play. The dashes could also represent the break down in their relationship.

Mrs Birling Main Points

Mrs Birling uses imperatives as she commands the Inspector and other characters which conveys her superiority, confidence and self-assurance.

Mrs Birling Main Points

Use of imagery: Sheila warns her mother not to try and build up a kind of 'wall' - the wall being a symbol of a barrier/pretence.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She thinks she is always right: '(triumphantly) Didn't I tell you? Didn't I say?' (when Gerald proves that the Inspector was a fake).

Mrs Birling Main Points

She is a bad mother - she doesn't notice Eric's alcoholism or any other problems.

Mrs Birling Main Points

She remains consistent throughout - she has not changed by the end of the play.

Mrs Birling's Relationship with Mr Birling

With Mr Birling - not close - gets frustrated with his social blunders and keeps reprimanding him: (see quote above). However, she is loyal to him.

Mrs Birling's Relationship with Sheila

With Sheila - feels like she can teach her how to behave when she is married: 'Now Sheila, don't tease him...You'll have to get used to that, just as I had.' (p.3) She scolds Sheila when she steps out of line ('What an expression, Sheila!') and treats her like a child. She patronises her, particularly at the end: 'They're over-tired. In the morning they'll be just as amused as we are.'

Mrs Birling's Relationship with Eric

With Eric - does not understand/know him. Not close. Completely unaware of his drinking/lifestyle. Failure as a mother?

Mrs Birling's Relationship with Gerald

With Gerald - she respects him because he is from the same class as her. She sees him as a good match for Sheila. She is particularly grateful when, at the end, she thinks that their reputation is safe: '(smiling) And I must say, Gerald, you've argued this very cleverly, and I'm most grateful.'

Mrs Birling's Relationship with the Inspector

With Inspector - remains completely untouched by his questioning. Feels she is above him and refuses to be intimidated. 'You have no power to make me change my mind.' She refuses to cooperate with him.

Mrs Birling's Relationship with Eva Smith

With Eva Smith - refuses to help her at a time when she needed help the most. Irritated by her manner - could not get over the fact that Eva Smith called herself 'Mrs Birling'. She saw it as a 'piece of gross impertinence' (very rude).

Mrs Birling's Significance in the Play

She represents the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes.

Mrs Birling's Significance in the Play

She sees the lower class as morally inferior - Priestley hated this kind of attitude and believed that people with these attitudes had to change if society was going to work.

Mrs Birling's Significance in the Play

She does not change at the end of the play - perhaps this is why 'An Inspector Calls' again, to try and make her change.

Mrs Birling's Significance in the Play

She makes us see just how awful life was for the lower classes at this time (1912) - the class divide was huge.

Mrs Birling's Significance in the Play

She played her part in the death of Eva Smith - she turned her away (from her charity) when she needed help. The girl was penniless and pregnant - but Mrs Birling thought she was lying, as no girl 'of that sort' would refuse money.

Mrs Birling - Priestley's Ideas

Priestley uses Mrs Birling to epitomise all that is wrong with society. She represents the social snobbery and hypocrisy of the upper classes and shows no remorse in her cruel treatment of Eva Smith.

Mrs Birling - Priestley's Ideas

Priestley presents her as an absurd character that ironically passes her own social guilt onto her own son - condemning him. As a result, Priestley deals with Mrs Birling with special severity, having her fall into a trap of her own making: she is confronted with the knowledge that Eric is a hard drinker and the father of the dead woman's child. She has helped to kill her own grandchild. It is only when she realises this does she begin to show any signs of weakening.

Mrs Birling - Priestley's Ideas

Priestley shows us that we should not trust the wealthy members of society to tell the truth.

Gerald Croft Main Points

Mr and Mrs Birling treat Gerald as more of an equal. He is the son of Mr Birling's business rival Sir George Croft.

Gerald Croft Main Points

At the start of the play, he cannot see how he could be involved in Eva Smith's (Daisy Renton's) suicide. 'I don't come into this suicide business.'

Gerald Croft Main Points

He tries to hide the truth from the Inspector (that he had been involved with Eva/Daisy) from the start, ('we can keep it from him') but Sheila criticises this. She noticed how he reacted when he heard the name 'Daisy Renton'.

Gerald Croft Main Points

Gerald met Daisy Renton in the Palace Bar. He rescued her from Alderman Meggarty and felt sorry for her. He kept her as his mistress for a few months but it eventually came to an end. He was aware that Daisy Renton's feelings towards him were stronger than his were towards her.