Arthur Birling

• What role does Arthur Birling play in the Birling family?

  Patriarch
• What does Arthur Birling symbolize in the play?

  Capitalist greed and complacency
• What are some of Arthur Birling's key traits?

  Self-important, arrogant, dismissive
• How does Arthur Birling function in relation to the Inspector's message?

  He embodies flaws of the capitalist upper class
• What are the character traits of Arthur Birling?

  • Arrogance and self-assurance
  • Materialism and status obsession
  • Dismissive of social responsibility
  • Hypocrisy and moral blindness
  • Patriarchal and authoritarian
• How does Arthur Birling display arrogance and self-assurance?

  By speaking with misplaced certainty
• What does Arthur Birling's arrogance reflect about the capitalist elite in 1912?

  It reflects their ignorance
• What is a key quote that illustrates Birling's arrogance?

  “The Germans don’t want war.”
• What does Birling's incorrect assertion about war demonstrate?

  Dramatic irony undermining his authority
• What does Arthur Birling value above all else?

  Wealth, power, and social status
• How does Birling view Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft?

  As a business opportunity
• What does Birling's focus on profits illustrate about his character?

  His exploitative nature
• What is a key quote that reflects Birling's materialism?

  “Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing.”
• How does Birling view social responsibility?

  He rejects the idea of obligations
• What does Birling advocate for regarding individualism?

  Rugged individualism and self-reliance
• What is a key quote that summarizes Birling's philosophy?

  “A man has to make his own way.”
• How does Birling's philosophy contrast with the Inspector's message?

  It opposes the idea of social responsibility
• How does Birling portray himself in terms of morality?

  As a respectable man
• What does Birling deny regarding Eva Smith's death?

  Any responsibility for her death
• What is a key quote that highlights Birling's hypocrisy?

  “If we were all responsible for everything...”
• What does Birling's refusal to acknowledge his culpability reveal?

  His moral shortcomings
• How does Birling expect his family to behave?

  With absolute obedience
• What does Birling dismiss from the younger generation?

  Opposing views
• What is a key quote that reflects Birling's attitude towards Eric?

  “You’ve got a lot to learn yet.”
• What does Birling's patronizing tone indicate about Edwardian society?

  Rigid patriarchy
• What does Birling celebrate in Act 1?

  Sheila’s engagement
• How does Birling respond to concerns about war in Act 1?

  He dismisses them
• What does Birling reveal about Eva Smith in Act 1?

  He fired her for leading a strike
• How does Birling justify firing Eva Smith?

  It’s his duty to keep labour costs down
• What does Birling's justification for firing Eva illustrate?

  His exploitation of workers
• How does Birling react to the Inspector's investigation in Act 2?

  He becomes defensive
• What does Birling attempt to do during the Inspector's investigation?

  Shift blame onto others
• How does Birling respond to evidence of his role in Eva's death in Act 3?

  He denies personal responsibility
• What does Birling's denial of responsibility symbolize?

  Stagnancy of the older generation
• How does Birling view the Inspector's reality?

  He seeks to discredit the Inspector
• What is a key quote that reflects Birling's disbelief in the Inspector?

  “The whole thing’s different now.”
• What does Birling's inability to learn or change represent?

  Capitalist ideology
• How does the Inspector function in relation to Birling?

  He exposes Birling's moral failings
• How does Birling view Sheila and Eric's perspectives?

  He is dismissive of their views
• What does Birling think of the younger generation?

  They are naïve