mr birling

• Character profile of Mr Birling in "An Inspector Calls":

  • Mr Birling is firmly entrenched within the 1912 English social elite
  • His dominant position in a static society is portrayed through his patriarchal role as owner of Birling and Co., his marriage to Mrs Birling, and his indifference to his daughter's concerns regarding Gerald's alleged affair
• Mr Birling is portrayed as the living embodiment of the capitalist ideology, valuing profit over family and displaying a pompous perspective
• Despite Mr Birling's success in business, his humble beginnings are evident from his provincial speech and constant reminders of his status in society
• The Birling family's wealth seems unnatural due to Mr Birling's lack of a traditionally wealthy background, leading to a superficial display of wealth
• Mr Birling is condemned by higher-class individuals due to his nouveau riche status, lacking an aristocratic background
• Priestley uses Mr Birling to critique capitalism and reveal the cycle of oppression caused by social divisions and classism
• Mr Birling is dismissive of the Inspector's message regarding Eva Smith's suicide, partly blaming it on him, showcasing his resistance to change and reluctance to accept responsibility
• Mr Birling's speech bears connotations of conservatism and an unwillingness to change, reflected in his rejection of socialism as "nonsense"
• Gerald's theory of the Inspector not being real is eagerly and triumphantly accepted by Mr Birling, leading to instant catharsis when the prospect of a criminal record is no longer apparent
• Mr Birling's lack of care for Eva Smith's suicide is evident, as he prioritizes avoiding scandal over social responsibility
• For Mr Birling to accept social responsibility, he would have to sacrifice the profiteering methods of exploiting laborers and paying subsistence wages
• Priestley contrasts the characters of Eric and Sheila against Mr and Mrs Birling, highlighting the younger generation's acknowledgment of their moral failings compared to the older generation's focus on social status
• The cyclical structure of Mr Birling's outlook creates a static character who cannot change, reflecting Priestley's critique of societal flaws and capitalism
• Mr Birling's relationship with his son, Eric, symbolizes the divide between the older and younger generations, with Eric opposing capitalism and aligning more with socialism
• Priestley deliberately creates the Inspector as the antithesis of Mr Birling, symbolizing capitalism and socialism respectively
• The appearance of the Inspector as an "impression of massiveness" presents socialism as a powerful idea, contrasting with Mr Birling's obsession with his public image
• The Inspector's compelling argument is contrasted with Mr Birling's ignorant and arrogant speech, highlighted by dramatic irony
• The Inspector resists Mr Birling's attempts to intimidate him, showcasing a power struggle between the two characters
• Mr Birling's insecurity in his social status leads him to use a façade of authority to mask his own insecurity, which results in oppression towards the lower classes in the workplace
• The tension between Mr Birling and Gerald Croft arises from Gerald's higher social status, causing Mr Birling to increase his ostentatious tendencies to impress Gerald
• Mr Birling's uncertain relationship with Gerald is evident in his hesitant tone and attempts to present himself as a social equal by bringing the same port as Gerald's father
• Mr Birling's self-promotion reveals his motive behind marriage, aiming to unite the Croft and Birling families to increase his ranking on the social hierarchy
• Priestley portrays Mr Birling as a static character, symbolic of the selfish, capitalist higher middle-class, who shows no remorse or accepts any responsibility
• Mr Birling's uncaring attitude and resistance to change symbolize the older generation's opposition to positive societal change, targeting the younger generation to rebuild society with a more socialist mindset
• Priestley uses dramatic irony to portray Mr Birling as foolish and unlikable, contrasting him with the Inspector's socialist ideologies, which are perceived as a force for good by the audience
• The audience's dislike of Mr Birling allows Priestley to critique capitalism and persuade the younger generation towards a more socialist mindset
• Mr. Birling's insecurities regarding social status are revealed by his hesitation to command Gerald, who is of a higher class, like he would command Eric
• Mr. Birling's feeling of inadequacy due to his lower social status compared to the Crofts leads him to boast about a potential knighthood
• Sheila's marriage motive is profit rather than love, as indicated by the quote "We may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices"
• Mr. Birling's attempt to trivialize socialism with the simile "like bees in a hive" reflects his disdain for the concept
• Mr. Birling uses the noun "duty" to emphasize his dedication to capitalism and profit
• The hyperbole of "asking for the earth" reflects the absurdity of Mr. Birling's refusal to pay a decent wage
• Mr. Birling's use of the noun "crank" to condemn socialism backfires due to Priestley's use of dramatic irony, causing the audience to oppose Mr. Birling's views and sympathize with socialists
• Mr. Birling's insult and threat of violence towards his child, using irony, creates a dislikeable perception of him
• Mr. Birling's arrogance and disregard for social responsibility are emphasized by his use of the adverb "obviously" to dismiss his role in Eva Smith's suicide
• Mr. Birling's complete lack of morality is revealed by his statement "I can't accept any responsibility"
• Priestley uses the adjective "awkward" to show Mr. Birling's discomfort with increased responsibility, highlighting his self-absorbed character
• Mr. Birling's reaction to his involvement in Eva Smith's suicide, wanting to cover it up quickly, shows his focus on his social status rather than the consequences of his actions
• Mr. Birling's diversion of blame onto his children reveals his selfish core and inability to develop a sense of social responsibility
• The stage direction "(jovially)" emphasizes Mr. Birling's indifference to Eva Smith's well-being, showing his lack of concern for others