Arthur Birling Character Quotations

• “But take my word for it, you youngsters — and I’ve learnt in the good hard school of experience — that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own” 

  • Arthur Birling, Act 1
• What the quotation means: Arthur tells Sheila and Eric that his experience outweighs education, and that they should heed his advice to look after one’s own family instead of everyone else’s
• Theme: Capitalism versus Socialism
• • Arthur Birling is presented as patronising, and often wrong despite his certainty:
  • He belittles his adult children, calling them “you youngsters”
  • In this way, Priestley exposes Arthur as an arrogant parent
• • Priestley portrays Arthur Birling’s strong disagreement with socialist philosophies:
  • His capitalist views are illustrated by his pride as a businessman
  • His description of a “good hard school of experience” challenges academics
  • He thinks “practical” businessmen “know” better than socialist writers like the “Bernard Shaws and H.G.Wellses”
• “And this girl. Eva Smith, was one of them, she'd had a lot to say — far too much — so she had to go” - Arthur Birling, Act 1 
• What the quotation means: Arthur Birling explains to the Inspector that he had no choice but to dismiss Eva as she was part of the protestors and was too outspoken. Theme Guilt.
• • Contrasting characters highlight ideas about morality and guilt:
  • The Inspector and Eric support the right to protest for fair wages, however Arthur Birling feels no guilt
  • The modal “had to” implies that, as a good businessman, he had no choice
  • His words illustrate the lack of workers’ rights in Edwardian England 
• • Arthur Birling ironically says that he dismissed Eva for saying “far too much”:
  • This subtly mocks Mr Birling’s hypocrisy as he often talks at length
  • Priestley presents Arthur Birling’s argument as farcical
• “You must give me a list of those accounts. I've got to cover this up as soon as I can” - Arthur Birling, Act 3
• What the quotation means: When Eric tells his father that he stole money from his office, Arthur Birling’s first priority is ensure he is not exposed. Theme: Responsibility
• • Priestley presents Arthur Birling as unchanged despite the Inspector’s visit:
  • He lacks personal responsibility and avoids accountability
• • Arthur Birling insists on keeping things hidden:
  • Earlier in the play he expresses concern about the “press”
  • Rather than engage with his son’s actions he chooses to cover it up
  • Priestley challenges capitalism by exposing their virtue as a facade