Analysis of Mr Birling in An Inspector Calls
Birling During the early conversations, Birling is shown by Priestley to be in a good mood, it appears. ... Birling is very pleased with the fact that Sheila is engaged to Gerald; not only does that mean a higher social standing because of the Crofts’ status, but a prospect also of business offers, as it appears the Birlings and Crofts have similar businesses-“Your father and I have been friendly rivals for some time now” - “now, youve brought us together. ... ” It seems that Birling thinks of this engagement as an opportunity for a business promotion rather that just a happy time. ... Birling stands up and claims he is right, “I’m talking as a hard headed practical man of business. ... I think Priestley has created Birling to be like this so we have a dislike for him, and animosity is created between us and the character. ... We are always agitated by him and want Birling to admit his responsibilities and not be so shallow and selfish. It is very significant that the Inspector arrives and rings the doorbell at this precise moment during Mr Birlings aggressive speech against the community and the business ways of the time. It is as if the writer is thinking, Right, youve had your say now its my turn, in the form of the Inspector. When Priestley has the Inspector first enter Birling finds the Inspector unusually formal. ... Mr. Birling offers him some of the port they have been drinking but he says “No.” Birling is taken aback by this because he has already concluded that the Inspector must be there on an unofficial call. After the Inspector declines the offer, Birling thinks something is a little peculiar and grows inpatient. He gathers that the Inspector is new and so takes this opportunity to flaunt all his accolades and titles. It is as if he is trying to promote his importance to the Inspector in a futile attempt to impress the Inspector. ... He tries to intimidate the Inspector by stating that he has connections with lots of influential people, but when the Inspector doesn’t appear bothered Birling grows even more agitated and demands to know why the Inspector is there. As the Inspector describes Eva Smiths death he is very brusque and stark. ... Birling just impatiently dismisses this "Yes, yes.