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Mr Birling - Coggle Diagram
Context
firmly
entrenched within 1912 ante-bellum English social elite
dominant position
in
static society
has a
patriarchal role
as
owner of Birling and Co.
which
employs young women
has
control over his household
-
Mrs Birling accepts her own domination by him
indifference to Sheila's concerns regarding Gerald
as this could
compromise the economic relationship with the Crofts
Capitalism
Priestley exhibits Birling as the
living embodiment of the capitalist ideology
physical
appearance is a reflection of capitalism
he wears
formal clothes
he is
*'heavy looking'
symbolises gluttony and greed
and
frequently displays
'portentous'
attitude
has a
pompous perspective
evidences through his
immediate reclamation of the spotlight
after the
engagement is announced
he says it is
*'one of the happiest nights of my life'
he toasts the
'lower costs and higher prices'
rather than to
his daughter's health
he
values Sheila on her capacity to further the family company
and therefore
objectifies her as a bargaining chip
his
business is of greater importance than his own family
-
foreshadows his indifference to Eva Smith's suicide
furthermore he
attempts to bribe the Inspector
'(unhappily) Look, Inspector - I'd give thousands'
to
prevent losing wealth and social status
through a
criminal record
epitomises the
individualistic nature of capitalism
Social Insecurity
Nouveau Riche
Refusal to Change
Staticism
Antithesis with Inspector
Relationships
Audience Reception
