Mr Birling
Key quotes
Capitalist business man
Priestly uses this character to show the audience that the Eva Smiths of the world will continue to suffer if people like Birling remain in positions of power.
Greedy businessman
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"Give us some more light"
"Nothing to do with you Sheila, run along"
"Look after himself and his own"
"I can't accept any responsibility"
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Perhaps i ought to warn you that he's an old friend of mine.
Only cared about how much money Eric spent on giving to Eva Smith not taking into consideration her suicide.
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Does not take the blame for Eva Smiths suicide and doesn't blame his wealth.
Not set on giving lower class people money.
Position of power
Upper class
"If you don't come down hard on these people, they'll soon be asking for the earth"
"I say there isn't a chance of war
Words used in inspector calls to describe Mr Birling
Insensitive
Selfish
Impertinent
Superior
Arrogant
Impatient
Key quotes: It's my duty to keep labour prices down
Selfish
You've a lot to learn yet
"Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable"
"Lower costs and higher prices"
"I speak as a hard headed business man"
repeated 3 times
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