Mr Birling

• 'Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable'


  Repetition of the adjective 'unsinkable' shows his strong belief in the capitalist system

  Foreshadows his own downfall?

  Could symbolise how he views himself?
• 'Portentous man... rather provincial in his speech' 


  Shows him to be pompous and overtly grandiose however this is a form of facade as he married up into a higher status
• 'Look inspector - I'd give thousands - yes, thousands'


  Mellowing of his capitalist views as he gets worried about the potential of a 'public scandal'

  Mindset is still hyper fixated on monetary value as he is sure his wealth will save him from immoral mistakes
• 'Social superior'


  Self-conscious of his wife being of a higher class than him

  Materialistic and possessive
• 'A man has to mind his own business and look after his own'


  Construct of capitalism

  Prioritises business, wealth and self-image over his own family

  Not aware of his social responsibility
• 'You all helped kill her'


  Ridicules/mocks the inspector

  Attempts to undermine the inspectors obvious power as he is does this while the inspector is not around

  Childish and immature as Sheila was in the beginning however she has matured and he seems to have regressed

  Impacts his family life as he is playing on his children's distress
• 'hard-headed, practical business man'


  Not sentimental and does not care about other people

  Identity is rooted in his business

  Priestley deliberately uses language of the Labour Party Manifesto meaning his audience can relate
• 'Who will suffer more than I?'


  Rhetorical question

  Primary concern is himself
• 'Don't come down sharply.. soon be asking for the Earth' 


  Hyperbolic phrase shows he does not understand the inner workings of the lower classes and does not sympathise for them

  Thinks the working class is greedy which shows his cynical attitude and is also ironic because he is greedy himself

  Alienates the working class
• 'fair chance that I might find my way onto the next honour's list'


  Shows his sycophantic relationship with Gerald as he is bragging about it to make himself seem amazing
• 'community and all that nonsense'


  Dismisses the ideas of community and group responsibility as 'nonsense'
• 'duty to keep labour costs down'


  Sees the people working for him as just as extra expense that obstructs him from getting the most money he can
• 'Socialist or some sort of a crank'


  Shows his disdain for socialism further proving that he is a construct of capitalism
• 'Now look at the pair of them, the famous younger generation who think they know it all and they can’t even take a joke.'


  Returns to his complacent and arrogant attitude He mocks Sheila and Eric for accepting responsibility