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An Inspector Calls Character Profile: Mr Birling (He cares about his…
An Inspector Calls Character Profile: Mr Birling
A successful business man; 'business is entirely a matter of profit and loss'
'He gets his materials and labor force as cheaply as possible and sells as high as possible on the market'
This is why he doesn't give 'Eva Smith' and her co workers a pay rise as if would be a loss to his business
He sees Sheila's engagement to Gerald as a business deal so he can merge businesses with Crofts Limited
Arthur views the world from his side of the fence
This implies that he has a lack of empathy therefore his opinion of the world on the 'other side of the fence' could be
insensitive
'a man has to make his own way - has to look after himself - and his family as well'
His selfishness obscures his vision and prevents him from doing the correct thing. The Inspector reveals what is correct and Mr Birling temporarily has his sight back until he thinks he hasn't done anything wrong
A trait of ignorance is detected within Mr Birling
He denies the ideas of war and the sinking of the Titanic and Priestley's use of dramatic irony only emphasises Arthur's ignorance
He cares about his social status and his family's
He wants to be included with those of the highest status and announces his position in the community to others to try and boost his social status
He is aware of his social superiors e.g Mrs Sybil Birling
At the end of the play he realises that he has compromised he chances of merging businesses with Crofts Limited and him achieving a higher place on the social status ladder but refuses to accept his part in Eva Smith's death
He believes that the Inspector is of the working class as her offers him whiskey a working class drink.
This emphasises his arrogance and indicates gluttony that he doesn't want to give a 'working class man' an expensive drink like port
'A heavy-looking rather portentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech'
Heavy looking = gluttony
fairly easy manners = naturally well-mannered and points out rudeness in others