An Inspector Calls Revision

Mr. Birling

Priestley used the character of Mr. Birling to represent how the

upper-class frowned upon people below them in society
Priestley was concerned about the consequences of social
inequality in Britain, and the disparity caused by wealth and
class divide. He believed that what resulted from this were the
very characteristics shown in Mr. Birling (selfishness, inability to
admit responsibility for his part in Evas death, exploitative
tendencies, power, lust etc.)
Priestley wanted to encourage his audience to dislike Mr. Birling
and to see him as a fool by rejecting the attitudes held by Mr.
Birling, Priestleys audience could lead a better life.
Throughout the play, Priestley makes it clear that there is a
consequence for every action. Through Mr. Birlings thoughtless
actions of firing Eva Smith, his inability to admit his partial
responsibility in Evas death, and Birling wanting to cover up for
Eric stealing money, Priestley portrayed the evil side of money
and capitalism, as well as his dislike or capitalism due to the
lack of care in society for the poor.

...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable Mr. Birling Act One

Symbolically, just as the Titanic is destined to sink, so too is
Birling's political ideology, under the Inspector's interrogation.
The ship was a titan of the seas, and its imminent failure "next
week" suggests the dangers of capitalistic hubris.
a man has to mind his own business and look after himself
and his own Mr. Birling Act One
In this quote, Mr. Birling voices his capitalist views in a didactic
monologue, unlike Priestleys own socialist views conveyed
through the Inspector. This shows that Priestley is clearly
showing the audience that Mr. Birling represents capitalism.
(Stage directions) We hear the sharp ring of a front door bell.
Act One
Normally, the doorbell signifies the arrival of someone which in
this case is Inspector Goole. In this scene, the doorbell
interrupts and ends Mr. Birlings monologue. Metaphorically, it
could be argued that the doorbell interrupting Mr. Birlings
capitalist speech represents the idea that socialism is
interrupting the capitalist campaign and ending it. Priestley
effectively uses the adjective sharp to show how the
Inspectors arrival is almost like an assault, intended to inflict
pain on the Birlings and their reputation. It could also
foreshadow the effect of the Inspectors interrogation on the
Birling family, especially Eric and Sheila and how it destroys
their belief in capitalism, making them change later on in the
play.
And were in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity
And I say there isnt a chance of war
Priestleys clever repeated use of dramatic irony is done in such
a way in order to make Mr. Birling constantly appear as an
arrogant, over confident man. Firstly, he says were in for a
time of steadily increasing prosperity. However, in 1929, the
infamous Wall Street Crash led to the Great Depression. He also
says I say there there isnt a chance of war. This would not
only make him seem idiotic, but also make him offend the
original 1946 audience, seeing as they would of experienced
both of the World Wars, with World War 2 only just ending in
1945. By making Mr. Birling first appear as a very capitalism
orientated character, then by making him seem idiotic,
arrogant and offensive towards the original 1946 audience for
An Inspector Calls, Priestley has effectively used dramatic irony
to make the audience dislike Mr. Birling. Priestley did this,
because if the audience dislikes Mr. Birling, then they will also
begin to dislike capitalism. Priestley wanted this. This is
because back in 1946, Priestley was a socialist, and wrote this
play to promote the idea of social responsibility and socialism
and how capitalism led to the two world wars. So if you get rid
of capitalism, you get rid of wars.
Mrs. Birling

Mrs. Birling represents the wealthier, privileged classes and

their selfish attitudes.
She sees the lower class as morally inferior Priestley hated
this kind of attitude and believed that people with these
attitudes had to change if society was going to work.
She makes us see just how awful life was for the lower classes
at this time (1912) the class divide was huge.
She played her part in the death of Eva Smith she turned her
away (from her charity) when she needed help. The girl was
penniless and pregnant but Mrs. Birling thought she was lying,
as no girl of that sort would refuse money.

Girls of that class-

From the determiner that, this shows how Mrs. Birling not
only understands the social class system, but also distances
herself from the working class Eva is in so much that she even
refrains from even referring to the class by its appropriate
name. It could be argued that Priestley did this to show how
rich, upper-class members of society understood the social
class system, but did not care as the capitalist views they
adopted made them think only of themselves. This would make
the reader sympathise with Eva, and also again, despise
capitalism as it is the reason for the working class are suffering
without help or support.
please remember before you start accusing me of anything
again that it wasnt I who had her turned out of her
employment which probably began it all.

This quote shows how selfish and deceitful Mrs. Birling is. She is
even willing to blame her own husband to cover her own back.
This is done to show the true evilness behind capitalism. It even
makes people turn back on their own family.

Sheila Birling

She represents (with Eric) the younger generation Priestley

saw them as more impressionable after all, they were the
future.
She gives the audience hope that their society can improve if
the people make changes and take responsibility.

(Excited)Oh Gerald youve got it is it the one you wanted

me to have?

1910 View of women This quote shows what the expectations

of women were back in the time the play was set in. It shows
how back then, woman were subservient to men and were
expected to accept what their male superiors wanted.

But these girls arent cheap labour theyre people

This shows how Sheila is already changing her view and

becoming more socialism orientated. She realizes how the
upper-class neglects the working class and the poor, and that
they are human and should be treated equally so.
I know Im to blame and Im desperately sorry

This quote shows how Sheila is becoming a more socialism

orientated person. She is the first to accept responsibility and
take some blame over Evas death.