Mr Birling - The Stubborn Capitalist
Mr Birling is everything wrong with capitalism in one character. He's obsessed with "lower costs and higher prices" and desperate for his knighthood to boost his social status. When he calls the Titanic "absolutely unsinkable," it's dramatic irony at its finest - the audience knows he's completely wrong.
He treats his workers terribly, justifying sacking Eva because "she'd had a lot to say - far too much." Basically, he wants to keep working-class people quiet and powerless. He's also dismissive of his children, telling Sheila to "run along" when things get serious.
When everything starts falling apart, Mr Birling gets desperate. He tries bribing the Inspector with "thousands, yes thousands" and even threatens his own son Eric when the truth comes out about the stolen money.
Key Point: Mr Birling represents the old guard of capitalism - selfish, stubborn, and completely unwilling to accept social responsibility.