An Inspector Calls is a play written by J.B. Priestley in 1945 set in the fictional town of Brumley. The play is about a wealthy family, the Birlings, who are celebrating their daughter's engagement when an inspector arrives to question them about a girl who has committed suicide. The play is a critique of the class system in England and the selfishness of the upper class. Mr Birling is one of the main characters in the play, and in this essay, we will analyze how he is presented.
Mr Birling's Character
Mr Birling is the head of the Birling family and a wealthy businessman. He is presented as a proud, self-centered, and arrogant man who is obsessed with his social status and wealth. He is also portrayed as a capitalist who believes that the only thing that matters in life is making money and climbing the social ladder. He has no empathy for the poor and believes that they are responsible for their own plight.
Mr Birling's Attitude Towards the Inspector
When the inspector arrives, Mr Birling is initially dismissive of him and tries to use his social status to intimidate him. He tells the inspector that he is an ex-mayor and a magistrate, and he expects the inspector to treat him with respect. However, the inspector is not impressed by his status and treats him like any other person. Mr Birling is also annoyed by the inspector's questioning and tries to avoid answering his questions. He believes that the inspector has no right to interrogate him and that he can do whatever he wants.
Mr Birling's Treatment of His Family
Mr Birling is not a loving father or husband. He is more interested in his business and social status than his family. He frequently argues with his wife and children and belittles them. He also has a strained relationship with his son Eric, whom he sees as a failure. Mr Birling's neglect of his family is evident in the way his children behave. Sheila, his daughter, is spoiled and self-centered, while Eric, his son, is an alcoholic who is disillusioned with life.
Mr Birling's Role in Eva Smith's Death
Mr Birling's role in Eva Smith's death is significant. He fired her from his factory for demanding a pay rise, which led to her becoming destitute and homeless. He believes that he did nothing wrong and that he was justified in firing her. He does not feel guilty about her death and believes that he is not responsible for it. His lack of empathy and his callousness towards the poor are evident in his treatment of Eva Smith.
Mr Birling's Reaction to the Inspector's Revelation
When the inspector reveals that the Birling family was responsible for Eva Smith's death, Mr Birling is shocked and angry. He cannot believe that his family could be responsible for someone's death, and he tries to deny his involvement. He also tries to shift the blame onto others, such as the girl herself, the inspector, and the socialist movement. He refuses to accept responsibility for his actions and shows no remorse for his role in Eva Smith's death.
Mr Birling's Final Speech
In his final speech, Mr Birling shows that he has learned nothing from the inspector's visit. He is more concerned with protecting his reputation and his business than with doing the right thing. He tells his family that they should forget about the inspector's visit and go back to their normal lives. He also suggests that the inspector was a hoax and that they should not take him seriously. Mr Birling's final speech shows that he is still arrogant, selfish, and self-centered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mr Birling is presented as a proud, self-centered, and arrogant man who is obsessed with his social status and wealth. He is a capitalist who believes that the only thing that matters in life is making money and climbing the social ladder. He has no empathy for the poor and believes that they are responsible for their own plight. He is not a loving father or husband and has a strained relationship with his family. He is responsible for Eva Smith's death, but he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. In his final speech, he shows that he has learned nothing from the inspector's visit and is more concerned with protecting his reputation and his business than with doing the right thing.
