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Mr Birling - Coggle Diagram

- - - - dismisses him as a "crank"
  - - - how the rich is isolated from the real problems of the world
        
        Priestly shows the troubles with ignorant, higher class fools like Arthur having power and running the country, as they have no idea about what goes on
        
        they could also be fully aware of the dangers, but just think that their social status protects them from repercussions
      - dramatic irony
        
        creates lack of credibility
- - - - Arthur tries to intimidate him
        
        "he's an old friend of mine...we play golf together"
        
        abuses his power to get others to hide his secrets
- - - - the fact this isn't shut down by any other of the family members. also shows the patriarchal society of 1912
- - - - "you're just the kind of so-in-law I've always wanted"
        
        could be interpreted as him wanting more business opportunities or him supporting the engagement
        
        at that time parents climbed the social ladder through marriages
- - - - "I've got to cover this up"
      - "The press might easily take it up"
      - doesn't feel socially responsible
      - "eagerly"
      - alternatively could feel remorse, but wants to hide his guilt and suppress his emotions as he "pours himself a drink"
        
        "hastily swallows"
        
        is ready to move on and forget about it with a drink
        
        explains why he's so "eager" to believe that the death was a lie or at least not his fault
        
        passes blame - "there's every excuse for what both your mother and I did"
        
        refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions
        
        even says it's Eva's fault that he sacked her because "she had a lot to say - far too much", as if asking for better pay is a justifiable reason to sack someone
        
        or could show his disinterest and callousness
        
        is "the only active one" after the Inspector's impactful speech, showing that he wasn't affected and doesn't care
        
        the fact that his views haven't changed throughout the play represents the emotional disconnection the older people of a higher class had
        
        detached
      - "there'll be a public scandel"
        
        Arthur still is only concerned about his public image despite his grandchild being dead and his daughter's engagement in ruins
- - - - doesn't want Sheila involved, as if she was a child
      - doesn't do this for Gerald or Eric, as if Sheila and Sybil were more vulnerable
    - - speaks for her as if she can't speak for herself