Mr Birling

• "Rather potentious man" (stage directions)
• "I speak as a hard headed practical man of business" (act 1)
• "Unsinkable absolutely unsinkable" (act 1)
• "Destined for a knighthood" (Act 2)
• "Birlings and Crofts working together for lower wages and higher prices" (Act 1)
• "I cant accept any responsibility" (act 2)
• "I did nothing I'm ashamed of" (Act 3)
• Birling speaks in dramatic monologue throughout the play, dominating the line length which presents his arrogant and egotistical nature.
• Birling is insecure because he wishes for a higher social status
• He uses repetition to emphasise his points such as "unsinkable", "destined for a knighthood".
• He is presented as a dominant patriarchal figure
• The use of dramatic irony in the quote "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" presents Birling as foolish to the audience
• Birling is portrayed as a hypocrite as he claims to be a man of high moral values yet he exploits workers and treats them poorly.