Mr Birling: A Symbol of Capitalist Arrogance in An Inspector... Show more
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7 Jan 2026
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Mr Birling: Character Analysis and Key Quotes in An Inspector Calls
Jasmine Jeynes
@jasminejeynes44
Mr Birling's Role in the Play's Structure
The structure of "An Inspector Calls" is carefully crafted to highlight Mr Birling's character and the flaws in his capitalist worldview. Priestley uses key moments in the play to reveal Birling's true nature and to contrast his beliefs with the play's central message of social responsibility.
Opening Scene:
The play opens with Mr. Birling asking for port to be poured, a seemingly innocuous action that actually reveals much about his character.
Highlight: Priestley uses the port as a symbol to show that Mr Birling is a materialistic character who prioritizes status and reputation above all else.
By choosing the same port that Gerald's father prefers, Birling demonstrates his desire to impress and align himself with those he perceives as socially superior. This opening immediately establishes Birling's preoccupation with social climbing and material wealth.
The Inspector's Entrance:
Just before the Inspector arrives, Birling is in the midst of a speech dismissing socialist ideas of community as 'nonsense'.
Quote: "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself."
This statement encapsulates Mr Birling's capitalist ideology, emphasizing individual responsibility over collective welfare. The timing of the Inspector's interruption is significant, as it foreshadows how the Inspector will challenge and disrupt Birling's arrogant views throughout the play.
Definition: Foreshadowing - A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.
Ending:
By the end of the play, it becomes clear that Mr Birling's character has not undergone any significant change or growth. His delight upon discovering that the Inspector might be a fraud is evident in the repeated stage direction 'triumphantly'.
Example: Birling's reaction to the potential hoax demonstrates his inability to grasp the moral lessons of the evening, instead focusing on his narrow escape from scandal.
This lack of development in Birling's character serves to reinforce Priestley's message about the intransigence of capitalist thinking. Mr Birling represents the stubborn adherence to selfish ideologies that Priestley saw as detrimental to society.
Highlight: Priestley uses Mr Birling's unchanging nature to show that capitalists like him are too selfish to change, even in the face of clear moral imperatives.
Through this structural analysis, we can see how Priestley carefully crafted Mr Birling's character to serve as a critique of capitalist values and to highlight the need for social change in Edwardian society. The play's structure reinforces the central themes of responsibility and interconnectedness, with Birling serving as a foil to these ideals throughout.
Mr Birling's Character and Role
Mr Birling is a central figure in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," representing the capitalist mindset of Edwardian society. As a successful businessman and former Mayor of Bromley, he embodies the values of individualism and profit-driven thinking that Priestley sought to critique.
Highlight: Mr Birling's character is designed to represent the selfishness and arrogance of capitalists in Edwardian society.
Birling's role in the play is multifaceted:
- He hosts the dinner celebrating his daughter Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft, using it as an opportunity to impress and network.
- His firing of Eva Smith from his factory two years prior sets in motion the chain of events central to the plot.
- Throughout the play, he remains primarily concerned with protecting his reputation and avoiding scandal.
Quote: "I speak as a hard-headed practical man of business."
This quote encapsulates Mr Birling's character, highlighting his self-perception as a pragmatic businessman. However, Priestley uses dramatic irony to undermine this view, revealing Birling's shortsightedness and moral failings.
Example: Birling's confident assertion about the Titanic - "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" - demonstrates his misplaced faith in progress and technology, foreshadowing his flawed judgment.
Priestley's message through Mr Birling is clear: the capitalist mindset, focused solely on individual gain and devoid of social responsibility, is fundamentally flawed. By presenting Birling as foolish and unlikeable, Priestley encourages his audience to reject these attitudes in favor of a more socialist, community-oriented approach to life.
Vocabulary: Capitalism - An economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
Mr Birling's character analysis reveals him as a symbol of the capitalist ideology that Priestley critiques throughout "An Inspector Calls." His unwillingness to change or accept responsibility serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked individualism in society.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Mr Birling: Character Analysis and Key Quotes in An Inspector Calls
Jasmine Jeynes
@jasminejeynes44
Mr Birling: A Symbol of Capitalist Arrogance in An Inspector Calls
Arthur Birling embodies the capitalist mindset in Edwardian society, prioritizing profit and status over social responsibility. His character serves as a critique of the selfish attitudes Priestley sought to... Show more
Mr Birling's Role in the Play's Structure
The structure of "An Inspector Calls" is carefully crafted to highlight Mr Birling's character and the flaws in his capitalist worldview. Priestley uses key moments in the play to reveal Birling's true nature and to contrast his beliefs with the play's central message of social responsibility.
Opening Scene:
The play opens with Mr. Birling asking for port to be poured, a seemingly innocuous action that actually reveals much about his character.
Highlight: Priestley uses the port as a symbol to show that Mr Birling is a materialistic character who prioritizes status and reputation above all else.
By choosing the same port that Gerald's father prefers, Birling demonstrates his desire to impress and align himself with those he perceives as socially superior. This opening immediately establishes Birling's preoccupation with social climbing and material wealth.
The Inspector's Entrance:
Just before the Inspector arrives, Birling is in the midst of a speech dismissing socialist ideas of community as 'nonsense'.
Quote: "A man has to mind his own business and look after himself."
This statement encapsulates Mr Birling's capitalist ideology, emphasizing individual responsibility over collective welfare. The timing of the Inspector's interruption is significant, as it foreshadows how the Inspector will challenge and disrupt Birling's arrogant views throughout the play.
Definition: Foreshadowing - A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.
Ending:
By the end of the play, it becomes clear that Mr Birling's character has not undergone any significant change or growth. His delight upon discovering that the Inspector might be a fraud is evident in the repeated stage direction 'triumphantly'.
Example: Birling's reaction to the potential hoax demonstrates his inability to grasp the moral lessons of the evening, instead focusing on his narrow escape from scandal.
This lack of development in Birling's character serves to reinforce Priestley's message about the intransigence of capitalist thinking. Mr Birling represents the stubborn adherence to selfish ideologies that Priestley saw as detrimental to society.
Highlight: Priestley uses Mr Birling's unchanging nature to show that capitalists like him are too selfish to change, even in the face of clear moral imperatives.
Through this structural analysis, we can see how Priestley carefully crafted Mr Birling's character to serve as a critique of capitalist values and to highlight the need for social change in Edwardian society. The play's structure reinforces the central themes of responsibility and interconnectedness, with Birling serving as a foil to these ideals throughout.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mr Birling's Character and Role
Mr Birling is a central figure in J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls," representing the capitalist mindset of Edwardian society. As a successful businessman and former Mayor of Bromley, he embodies the values of individualism and profit-driven thinking that Priestley sought to critique.
Highlight: Mr Birling's character is designed to represent the selfishness and arrogance of capitalists in Edwardian society.
Birling's role in the play is multifaceted:
- He hosts the dinner celebrating his daughter Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft, using it as an opportunity to impress and network.
- His firing of Eva Smith from his factory two years prior sets in motion the chain of events central to the plot.
- Throughout the play, he remains primarily concerned with protecting his reputation and avoiding scandal.
Quote: "I speak as a hard-headed practical man of business."
This quote encapsulates Mr Birling's character, highlighting his self-perception as a pragmatic businessman. However, Priestley uses dramatic irony to undermine this view, revealing Birling's shortsightedness and moral failings.
Example: Birling's confident assertion about the Titanic - "Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" - demonstrates his misplaced faith in progress and technology, foreshadowing his flawed judgment.
Priestley's message through Mr Birling is clear: the capitalist mindset, focused solely on individual gain and devoid of social responsibility, is fundamentally flawed. By presenting Birling as foolish and unlikeable, Priestley encourages his audience to reject these attitudes in favor of a more socialist, community-oriented approach to life.
Vocabulary: Capitalism - An economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
Mr Birling's character analysis reveals him as a symbol of the capitalist ideology that Priestley critiques throughout "An Inspector Calls." His unwillingness to change or accept responsibility serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked individualism in society.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Character Analysis
Most popular content in English Literature
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user