mr. birling

• heavy-looking, rather portentous man


  physical representation of capitalist greed

  uses size to intimidate

  portentous = arrogant, pompous

  audience dislike > capitalism less appealing
• unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable


  emphasises arrogance and pride

  dramatic irony

  intensifier 'absolutely' = complete confidence in judgement

  Priestley makes him look unreliable and foolish = audience distrust Mr. Birling.
• The German's don't want war


  dramatic irony presents Mr.B as unlikable.

  exclamatory sentence emphasises his passionate beliefs.

  Colloquial + immature language reminds us how provincial he is.
• lower costs and higher prices


  wants to maximise profit.

  capitalists' attitude

  money and profit primary purpose in life

  doesn't consider impact 'higher prices' may have on anyone

  even in a momentous occasion for his family and his daughter, he is focused on business
• community and all that nonsense

  we only have responsibility to ourselves and our families

  dismisses idea of community and social responsibility as 'nonsense'