Mrs. Birling is portrayed as a socially conservative upper-class woman who embodies the rigid class structure and gender inequalities of Edwardian England. Her character serves to highlight the disconnect between the privileged and the working class in "An Inspector Calls."

Highlight: Mrs. Birling demonstrates no understanding for another woman in a difficult position, despite being affected by gender inequalities herself.

Key characteristics of Mrs. Birling include:

1. Class-conscious: She judges Eva Smith harshly for being poor and unmarried, revealing her deep-seated class prejudices.
2. Resistant to change: Mrs. Birling encourages Sheila to accept sexism rather than challenge it, showing her acceptance of the status quo.
3. Reliant on social status: She believes her family's wealth and influence can solve all problems, demonstrating a lack of empathy for those less fortunate.
4. Unwilling to accept responsibility: Mrs. Birling refuses to acknowledge any role in Eva Smith's death, even when presented with evidence.
5. Lacks self-awareness: She fails to recognize how her own actions contribute to societal problems.

Quote: "Girls of that class..."

This quote exemplifies Mrs. Birling's classist attitudes and her tendency to dismiss the struggles of working-class women.

Example: Mrs. Birling's refusal to help Eva Smith when she came to the charity organization demonstrates her lack of compassion and reinforces class divisions.

Mrs. Birling's character development:

• Initially presented as a confident and authoritative figure
• Becomes defensive and evasive during the Inspector's questioning
• Inadvertently implicates her son Eric in Eva's death
• Shows no change in attitude after the Inspector leaves
• Remains convinced of her own righteousness throughout the play

Vocabulary: Classism - Prejudice against people belonging to a particular social class, often leading to discrimination.

Mrs. Birling's role in "An Inspector Calls" is to represent the older generation's resistance to social change and their inability to recognize their own complicity in societal problems. Her character serves as a stark contrast to Sheila's growing awareness and acceptance of responsibility.

Sheila Birling and Eric Birling represent the younger generation in "An Inspector Calls," and their character arcs demonstrate the potential for social change and personal growth. Both characters undergo significant development throughout the play, contrasting sharply with their parents' static views.

Sheila Birling Character Analysis

Highlight: Sheila displays a very human reaction to the news of Eva's suicide, accepting responsibility for her actions and maturing as a character by the end of the play.

Key aspects of Sheila's character development:

1. Initial naivety: Sheila starts as a seemingly childish and ignorant character, unaware of wider societal issues.
2. Rapid growth: She quickly accepts responsibility for her role in Eva's death and shows genuine remorse.
3. Increased assertiveness: Sheila challenges her parents' views and pushes Gerald to confess his affair.
4. Embracing change: She recognizes the need for societal change and personal improvement.
5. Gender equality advocate: Sheila challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.

Quote: "But these girls aren't cheap labour - they're people."

This quote demonstrates Sheila's growing awareness of social injustice and her empathy for working-class individuals.

Sheila's role in the play is to represent hope for the future. Her willingness to learn from mistakes and challenge the status quo aligns with Priestley's vision for a more equitable society.

Eric Birling Character Analysis

Highlight: Eric initially struggles with alcoholism and guilt but ultimately accepts responsibility for his actions, representing the potential for redemption and change.

Key aspects of Eric's character development:

1. Initial portrayal: Presented as a drunk and directionless young man.
2. Family dynamics: Eric's relationship with his father is strained, with Mr. Birling showing little respect for him.
3. Moral awakening: Eric displays shock and remorse upon learning of Eva's death.
4. Acceptance of responsibility: He eventually admits his role in Eva's tragedy and takes accountability for his actions.
5. Challenging authority: Eric begins to question his father's views and societal norms.

Quote: "You don't understand anything. You never did."

This quote highlights Eric's growing awareness of his parents' flawed perspectives and his own moral awakening.

Eric's role in the play is to demonstrate that even those who have made serious mistakes can learn and change. His character arc supports Priestley's message that the younger generation has the potential to create a more just society.

Example: Both Sheila and Eric's reactions to the Inspector's revelations contrast sharply with their parents', illustrating the generational divide in attitudes towards social responsibility.

Sheila and Eric's character development in "An Inspector Calls" serves to underscore Priestley's belief in the potential for positive change through self-reflection and acceptance of social responsibility. Their growth throughout the play offers a hopeful counterpoint to the rigid attitudes of the older generation.

Gerald Croft presents a complex character who straddles both the old and new social orders.

Quote: "We all did what we did to Eva Smith."

Highlight: His relationship with Eva/Daisy reveals the power dynamics between social classes.

Example: His expectation that Sheila would still marry him shows his entrenched privilege.

Mr. Birling is presented as a quintessential capitalist and representative of the older generation's outdated views in "An Inspector Calls." His character serves as a foil to the Inspector's message of social responsibility.

Highlight: Mr. Birling is an upper-class businessperson who prioritizes wealth, status, and reputation above all else.

Key characteristics of Mr. Birling include:

1. Prioritizes personal gain: Mr. Birling's focus on money and status reflects the capitalist mindset Priestley criticizes.
2. Resistant to social change: He dismisses socialist ideas as "nonsense," demonstrating his opposition to equality and community.
3. Naïve and ignorant: Priestley portrays Birling as out of touch, making incorrect predictions about historical events like the Titanic and World War I.
4. Struggles with loss of control: The Inspector's arrival challenges Birling's authority, revealing his discomfort with changing power dynamics.
5. Refuses responsibility: Even after learning of Eva Smith's death, Birling denies any culpability for his actions.

Quote: "The Titanic... unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable."

This quote showcases Birling's misplaced confidence and foreshadows his flawed judgment throughout the play.

Example: Mr. Birling's dismissal of workers' demands for higher wages exemplifies his prioritization of profit over people's well-being.

Mr. Birling's character development:

• Initially confident and authoritative
• Becomes defensive and evasive during the Inspector's questioning
• Briefly shows remorse when confronted with evidence
• Reverts to smugness when he believes the Inspector to be a hoax
• Faces a final shock when real police involvement is revealed

Vocabulary: Capitalist - A person who supports an economic system based on private ownership and profit-driven enterprises.

Mr. Birling's role in "An Inspector Calls" serves to critique the older generation's resistance to social progress and their failure to accept responsibility for their actions. His character represents the outdated values that Priestley argues must change for society to improve.