Arthur Birling Flashcards
Arthur Birling is…
Ambitious: “There’s a very good chance of I’ll make my way on to the next honours list”
Business-minded: “A hard-headed, practical man of business”
Selfish: “A man has to make his own way”
Anxious: “There’ll be a public scandal - unless we’re lucky”
Birling’a lack of responsibility:
Finds it difficult to think about other people doesn’t believe in ‘Community and all that nonsense”
Sees other people as “cheap labour”
He’d rather pass of the Inspector’s visit as a hoax than face up to what he has done
Mr Birling’s Social class:
"Provincial in his speech" means he has a Midlands accent, suggesting he was middle class not upper class as he like to think Couple with dramatic irony 'Silly little war scares" this helps Priestley portray him as foolish and short-sighted
Mr Birling and authority:
Mr Birling wants all the authority, is obsessed with status and is willing to pay thousands to avoid a scandal
Isn’t used to being challenged and it is but a few words by the Inspector before Birling shows ‘a touch of impatience’
Shouts ‘Rubbish!’ to dismiss what other people have said
Ends his own sentences with ‘of course’ to make his own claims seem obvious and correct
The anxiety of Birling:
Desperately tries to win the approval of the Crofts by talking of a knighthood and by buying Gerald’s father’s favourite port
Tries to make himself seem important by drawing attention to his connection with influential people
i.e. plays golf with the Chief Inspector
Birling rattled as the Inspector threatens his middle class values
