Who is Mr Birling and What Does He Represent?
Mr Birling might seem like a successful bloke at first glance - he's a wealthy businessman, former Lord Mayor of Brumley, and father to Sheila and Eric. But Priestley uses him to show the ugly side of capitalist society in Edwardian Britain.
The play opens with Birling hosting a dinner to celebrate his daughter's engagement to Gerald Croft. This isn't just a happy family moment though - it's all about business connections and social climbing. Two years before the Inspector arrives, Birling fired Eva Smith from his factory, showing his complete lack of concern for workers' welfare.
Birling's core belief is that "a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own." This perfectly sums up his selfish, individualistic worldview that Priestley wants us to reject.
Remember: Priestley wrote this play in 1945 for audiences who had just lived through two world wars - he wanted them to see how dangerous Birling's attitudes were.
