Mr Birling

• Ostentatious


  Characterised by pretentious or showy display e.g.  When celebrating the engagement he refers to the port as being the one Gerald’s father drinks, and therefore boasting. 
• Condescending


  Having or showing an attitude of patronising superiority e.g. when he meets the inspector he informs him ‘I was an alderman for years – and Lord Mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the Bench – so I know the Brumley officers pretty well’ to show his importance.
• Belittling


  Dismiss (someone or something) as unimportant e.g. when discussing the possibility of war he says ‘Fiddlesticks! The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war.’
• Arrogant


  Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities e.g. when talking to Gerald he boast that he believes he will be knighted.
• Conservative


  Averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values e.g. when referring to the socialist idea he says ‘community and all that nonsense’
• Patriarchal


  Relating to or denoting a system of society or government controlled by men e.g. Birling makes references to him having been an Alderman, Lord Mayor and Magistrate.
• Narcissistic


  Having or showing an excessive interest in or admiration of oneself e.g.  Mr Birling remind the family and Gerald he is ‘a hard-headed business man’  he shares his views to the family and talks about his opinions and doesn’t listen to others, especially Eric.
• Rapacious


  Aggressively greedy or grasping e.g. Mr Birling is concerned about money ‘Lower cost and higher prices’
• Covetous


  Having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else e.g. when Birling talks about expanding his business and wanting to improve his status to become knighted.
• Brazen


  Bold and without shame e.g. when discussing his unwillingness to accept responsibility for sacking Eva ‘I can’t accept any responsibility’
• Obstinate


  Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. E.g. Sheila points out that Mr and Mrs Birling have learnt nothing from the Inspectors visit ‘The point is that you don’t seem to have learnt anything’
• Static


  Lacking in change, action especially in an undesirable way. E.g. Mr Birling feels he is not responsible at the beginning of the play and this belief does not change throughout.
• Avaricious


  Having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain. E.g. when speaking at his daughter’s engagement party he demonstrates his love of money by mentioning how the uniting of the families will bring Croft Limited and Birling and company together therefore make him richer.