Mr. Birling

• Arthur Burling


  Unlikable character from the first moment we meet him
• Arthur Burling


  • Head of the Burling family
  • Self-made businessman
  • Owns a prosperous factory
  • On his way to getting a Knighthood
• Arthur Burling


  • True representation of a dominant figure at this time
  • A man who is wealthy and influential
• Arthur Burling


  • Self-assured and pompous on the outside
  • Used to being in positions of power
  • Loves making long speeches and does not like to be interrupted
• When Eric tries to interrupt Arthur Burling's speech

  Arthur Burling cuts him off and puts him down
• Arthur Burling


  • Comes across as someone who is extremely self-confident and narcissistic
  • Calls himself a "hard-headed practical man of business" and proclaims his opinions as if they are the only ones that matter
• Arthur Burling is using his brash facade to cover up a lot of insecurities
• Arthur Burling's speech


  Described as rather provincial, revealing that he was not born into wealth but grew up in a lower social class and married into an upper class family
• Mrs. Burling corrects Arthur Burling


  When he compliments the cook on the dinner, she says reproachfully "Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things"
• Self-made men like Arthur Burling with new money were looked down on by those with aristocratic roots and titles
• The prospect of getting a Knighthood is important to Arthur Burling as he craves the validation of the upper classes
• Arthur Burling makes several glaringly inaccurate statements, such as how World War I will never happen and that the Titanic will never sink
• Priestley uses dramatic irony to expose Arthur Burling's lack of knowledge on these subjects and undermine his authority
• Arthur Burling


  • A firm believer in capitalism
  • His outward appearance symbolizes excess
• Arthur Burling buys Gerald's father's favorite port


  To impress him with his good taste because he did not grow up wealthy
• Capitalism was the means through which Arthur Burling was able to enter the upper class, so his whole life revolves around this ideology
• Arthur Burling views everything and everyone in terms of profits and losses, even his own family
• Arthur Burling sees Sheila's engagement to Gerald


  As a way to increase his profits and social status
• Arthur Burling uses the loose labor laws of the time to pay women like Eva Smith a ridiculously low wage to reduce costs
• Arthur Burling only sees his workers in terms of money, not as human beings
• Arthur Burling's statement "a man has to make his own way, has to look after himself and his family too"


  Emphasizes the individualistic nature of capitalism which puts personal gain over the common good
• Arthur Burling


  • Arrogant and proud
  • Frequently boasts about his social standing, upcoming Knighthood, and connections with influential people
• When interacting with Inspector Goole

  Arthur Burling tries to use his social status to intimidate and dismiss the inspector's inquiries
• Arthur Burling's arrogance makes him very shortsighted, unable to see the possibility of a different future or how his actions affect those around him
• Arthur Burling's family dynamic

  • All about authority, obedience, and respect
  • Whenever this is challenged, primarily by Eric, he is quick to get angry, cut them off, or put them down
• When interacting with Gerald Croft


  Arthur Burling almost sounds like he is sucking up to him, as the Crofts are above him in social status and seem to be the ideal that he aspires to
• The dynamic between Arthur Burling and Inspector Goole


  Their worldviews and politics differ dramatically, making Burling a foil character to the inspector
• Arthur Burling does not have much of a character arc throughout the play and remains as stubborn and unrepentant as ever
• Arthur Burling's static character is done on purpose by the author to criticize the rigid, self-serving mindset of capitalists and the older generations of that time
• The cyclical presentation of the play, with everything resetting back to the way things were at the beginning, represents how unwillingness to change leads to society making the same mistakes over and over again