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Mr Birling (Foolish (He refers to the possible "labor trouble"…
Mr Birling
Foolish
He refers to the possible "labor trouble" as "silly talk". This makes him appear foolish as there were obviously more strikes and issues in the workplace in 1926.
He also says "The Germans don't want war" and that the whole idea of it is "nonsense". This makes him look stupid as there was obviously wars, such as WW2 in 1939.
He says the Titanic is "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" and it sunk which makes him look stupid as in 1912, it sunk.
He said "there will be peace and prosperity" but due to the war, there obviously wasn't any and in 1936 there was the great depression which was certainly not "progress".
He also explained that "the Russians are always behind" which makes her seem stupid as there was a Russian revolution in 1917.
Arrogant and selfish
In one of Mr Birlings speeches, he begins congratulating Sheila and Gerald on there engagement, however, he quickly makes it about himself and his business plans as he says "your father and I have been friendly business rivals" and that there engagement may "bring them together" in business.
He describes himself as a "hardheaded, practical man of business".
He says "A man has to make his own way and has to look after himself and his family" showing he doesn't agree with helping others and is very selfish.
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He again says "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own and..." he would have carried on with these selfish comments if the inspector hadn't arrived.
Upper class/posh
It states in the stage directions that he lives in a "Fairly large" home which was "comfortable, but not cosy and homelike", showing they are quite well off but maybe don't have a good family like relationship.
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He feels that the way someone dresses is highly important and that certain clothes are "a sign of self respect", implying that people of 'his class' should distinguish there financial stability by the clothes they wear and conveying he tries to enlarge the gap between the social classes.
When the inspector says she left from Milwards, Mr Birling says "she must have got herself in trouble", showing he feels it would be her fault or that she can't control her anger due to her being of a lower class.
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Proud
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He also says "theirs a chance of a knighthood"and he explains this to Gerald "confidently", therefore showing he is impressed with his achievement.
Impatient
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He is constantly trying to get rid of the inspector and tries to get him to hurry up as he says the situation is "uncalled for" and says the inspectors facts are "rubbish".
The role of Mr Birling
Priestley uses the character of Mr Birling to show how narrow minded and judgmental the upper class can be.
Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr Birling and to see him as a fool by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr Birling.
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