Mr Birling

AQA English Literature GCSE: An Inspector Calls – Character Profile: Mr. Birling

1. First Impressions

• Character Context:

  • Mr. Arthur Birling is a representation of the English social elite in 1912.

  • The play is set before World War I, emphasizing the class distinctions of that era.

• Patriarchal Role:

  • Owner of Birling & Co., predominantly employing young women at low wages.

  • Reflects the static society where the rich are wealthy and the poor remain impoverished.

2. Capitalism Personified

• Embodiment of Capitalism:

  • Mr. Birling symbolizes capitalist ideology; prioritizes profit over human life.

  • Depicted as "heavy-looking" to symbolize greed, wearing formal attire adds to his capitalist image.

• Pompous Attitude:

  • Shows self-absorption by immediately reclaiming attention during Sheila and Gerald’s engagement announcement.

  • Offers toasts that prioritize business over familial wellness, demonstrating materialistic values.

  • Values Sheila primarily as a means to elevate family business connections.

3. Insecurity in Social Position

• Humble Origins:

  • His "provincial in speech" indicates lower-class origins and insecurity about his social status.

  • Constantly reminds characters of his past roles (e.g., Lord Mayor) to assert his status.

• Lack of Sophistication:

  • Contrast with Mrs. Birling, who exhibits a higher social skill level, emphasizing Mr. Birling's insecurities.

4. Superficiality of Wealth

• Uneasy Wealth:

  • Birling’s fortune feels unnatural due to his lack of an aristocratic background.

  • Home described as “substantial but not cosy,” reflecting how wealth fails to provide genuine comfort.

• Nouveau Riche:

  • Criticism of Mr. Birling for lacking the refined etiquette of traditional higher classes, displaying class divides.

5. Dismissal of Inspector's Message

• Rejection of Social Responsibility:

  • Trivializes Eva Smith's suicide, refusing to acknowledge his role in her demise.

  • Believes that hard work can lift anyone from poverty, viewed as naïve by the audience.

  • Dismissiveness towards the Inspector's message defines his character; embodies resistance to change.

6. Relationships with Other Characters

• Marriage to Mrs. Birling:

  • Represents a transactional marriage driven by social status rather than love.

  • Lack of intimacy illustrates dissatisfaction within capitalist structures.

• Father-Son Dynamics:

  • Eric's discontent with how Birling runs the company signals the growing generational divide over values.

  • They argue about the exploitation of workers, indicating Eric’s moral opposition to capitalism.

• Contrast with the Inspector:

  • Inspector serves as the antithesis to Mr. Birling’s beliefs, representing socialism’s values of community and shared responsibility.

7. Symbolism and Message

• Static Character:

  • Mr. Birling remains unchanged by events, reflective of the play’s cyclical structure that critiques unyielding capitalist attitudes.

• Dramatic Irony:

  • His confidence in falsehoods (e.g., unsinkable Titanic) establishes him as foolish, increasing audience disdain.

• Audience Engagement:

  • Mr. Birling’s unattractiveness prompts the audience to favor socialist principles presented through character dynamics.

8. Quote Bank by Theme

• Insecurity:

  • "Provincial in his speech" - highlights his lower-class origins.

  • "You ought to like this port, Gerald" - denotes hesitance in social command.

• Capitalism vs. Socialism:

  • "A man has to look after himself" - emphasizes individualism.

  • "Community and all that nonsense" - dismissive of socialism.

• Responsibility:

  • "I can’t accept any responsibility" - shows a lack of moral duty.

  • "Public men... responsibilities as well as privileges" - direct challenge to Birling's values.

• Self-Absorbed Nature:

  • "One of the happiest nights of my life…" – indicates self-centeredness.

  • "There’ll be a public scandal…" – prioritizes his status over human lives.

9. Final Summary

• Through Mr. Birling, Priestley critiques the selfishness of capitalist ideology, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and the need for change in a rigidly divided society. His character serves as a foil to the younger generation’s emerging values of communal well-being.

AQA English Literature GCSE: An Inspector Calls – Character Profile: Mr. Birling

1. First Impressions

Character Context:

Mr. Arthur Birling is a complex representation of the English social elite at the turn of the 20th century, specifically in 1912, a time marked by rigid class distinctions. His character is a reflection of upper-class arrogance and ignorance that existed in pre-World War I society, where the disparities between social classes were stark and often ignored by the wealthy.

Patriarchal Role:

As the owner of Birling & Co., a successful manufacturing business, Mr. Birling predominantly employs young women, such as Eva Smith, at low wages, showcasing the exploitation inherent in capitalist systems. His portrayal as the patriarchal figure emphasizes a static society where the rich are comfortable in their wealth, while the poor remain impoverished and voiceless.

2. Capitalism Personified

Embodiment of Capitalism:

Mr. Birling symbolizes capitalist ideology, prioritizing profit above all else, including human life and dignity. His physical description as "heavy-looking" often suggests a correlation to greed and excess. He dresses in formal attire, which reinforces his capitalist image and status.

Pompous Attitude:

Birling’s self-importance is immediately evident when he seeks to reclaim attention during Sheila and Gerald’s engagement announcement, indicating his desire for recognition and approval. His toasts focus on business achievements rather than familial connections or well-being, highlighting his materialistic values and emotional detachment. He views Sheila as a means to further cement family business connections, further illustrating his priorities.

3. Insecurity in Social Position

Humble Origins:

Despite his current affluence, Birling's "provincial in speech" signals his humble beginnings and underlying fear of losing his elevated social status. He often boasts about his past achievements, such as being a former Lord Mayor, to assert dominance and status among his peers.

Lack of Sophistication:

In contrast to Mrs. Birling, who exhibits a higher level of social grace and etiquette, Mr. Birling’s lack of sophistication becomes apparent, emphasizing his insecurity in social circles and reflecting the class distinctions of the time.

4. Superficiality of Wealth

Uneasy Wealth:

Mr. Birling’s wealth feels unnaturally acquired, highlighting the absence of an aristocratic lineage. The Birling home is described as “substantial but not cosy,” symbolizing how material wealth fails to engender true comfort or familial warmth, thus critiquing the superficiality of capitalist gains.

Nouveau Riche:

Birling stands as a criticism of the nouveau riche, as he lacks the refined etiquette and manners traditionally associated with the aristocracy, symbolizing the tension between old wealth and new money, exemplifying the class divides that Priestley seeks to critique.

5. Dismissal of Inspector's Message

Rejection of Social Responsibility:

Mr. Birling drastically trivializes Eva Smith's tragic suicide, stubbornly refusing to recognize his complicity in her downfall, highlighting his moral failings and disconnection from the impact of his business decisions.

Naivety:

His belief that hard work is sufficient to escape poverty is presented as naïve by the audience, firmly positioning him as a relic of a bygone era, resistant to the social changes that the younger generation is beginning to embrace.

6. Relationships with Other Characters

Marriage to Mrs. Birling:

His marriage to Mrs. Birling exemplifies a transactional relationship built on social status rather than genuine affection, lacking emotional intimacy and merely reflecting their mutual interests in maintaining societal appearances.

Father-Son Dynamics:

The growing discontent between Mr. Birling and his son Eric epitomizes the generational conflict in values, particularly regarding the treatment of workers and the unsustainable nature of their capitalist lifestyle. Eric's moral opposition to his father's views signifies a shift in societal consciousness, questioning capitalist exploitation.

Contrast with the Inspector:

The Inspector emerges as the antithesis to Mr. Birling's views. He embodies the socialist ethos of community, shared responsibility, and empathy, contrasting sharply with Birling’s cold individualism and disregard for societal duty.

7. Symbolism and Message

Static Character:

Throughout the play, Mr. Birling remains unchanged despite the challenges posed by the Inspector. This immutability reflects the cyclical nature of the play and serves as a critique of the unyielding nature of capitalist attitudes that fail to adapt or learn from societal mistakes.

Dramatic Irony:

His unwavering confidence in misleading beliefs, such as his assertion about the “unsinkable Titanic,” marks him as foolish and lacking foresight, which simultaneously evokes audience disdain and highlights the dangers of blind belief in capitalist ideals.

Audience Engagement:

Mr. Birling’s unappealing character prompts audience sympathy towards the younger generation's emerging socialist principles, emphasizing a collective need for social change and responsibility.

8. Quote Bank by Theme

Insecurity:

• "Provincial in his speech" - highlights his lower-class origins and insecurities.

• "You ought to like this port, Gerald" - indicates a hesitance in his social command and a desperate attempt to fit in.

Capitalism vs. Socialism:

• "A man has to look after himself" - emphasizes his individualistic capitalist philosophy, neglecting social responsibilities.

• "Community and all that nonsense" - reveals his dismissive attitude towards the importance of community and cooperation in society.

Responsibility:

• "I can’t accept any responsibility" - denotes his refusal to acknowledge moral obligations towards those affected by his actions, such as Eva Smith.

• "Public men... responsibilities as well as privileges" - contradicts Mr. Birling's beliefs, challenging his understanding of social duty.

Self-Absorbed Nature:

• "One of the happiest nights of my life…" - underscores his self-centric worldview as he prioritizes personal enjoyment over family connections.

• "There’ll be a public scandal…" - epitomizes his concern for social standing and reputation over human lives and dignity.

9. Final Summary

Through the character of Mr. Birling, J.B. Priestley delivers a powerful critique of the selfishness and moral bankruptcy of capitalist ideology, emphasizing the crucial need for social responsibility and communal values amidst a rigidly divided society. Birling serves as a foil to the younger characters, showcasing the disconnection between outdated capitalist beliefs and the emerging values advocating for empathy and societal change.