Mr Birling - Act 1

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Priestley uses the character of Mr Birling in ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a vehicle to chastise the arrogant, patronising and self-righteous demeanour of the capitalist older generation. Priestley criticises such rejection of social responsibility in the pursuit of wealth and prompts the audience to consider the detrimental effects this behaviour has upon the wider society.

Question 2

Quote 1 - Birling is described as “a…”

Answer 2

• Birling is describes as ”a heavy looking, rather portentous man”.
• Phrase “heavy-looking” may be an indicator of weight which brings attention to Mr Birling’s wealth as he is able to purchase and consume large amounts of food.
• The reference to being “rather portentous” highlights his efforts to present himself in an excessively solemn manner in order to impress others as he is so preoccupied with his image and reputation.
• Also links to his self-important nature as he believes that due to the capitalist ideology he is of a higher standing to others in society.

Question 3

Quote 2 - Mr birling is keen to…

Answer 3

• Mr Birling is keen to impress Gerald by demonstrating his acquired wealth and social connections, conveyed where he says ”You ought to like this port, Gerald. As a matter of fact, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him.”, as port was an expensive drink at the time.
• He makes reference to Gerald’s father as a way to elevate his own status by giving the impression that both himself and Sir Croft share the same expensive tastes.

Question 4

Quote 3 - Priestley further highlights Mr Birling’s self…

Answer 4

• Priestley further highlights Mr Birling’s self-centred disposition in his daughter’s engagement speech, particularly where he proclaims ”Gerald,… your engagement to Sheila means a tremendous lot to me. She’ll make you happy…”. - - Whilst the statement appears celebratory, the emphasis falls not on Sheila’s happiness but on Birling’s personal gain. This is revealed by the phrase “to me”, alongside the repeated use of personal pronouns throughout the paragraph, which exposes his self-interest and his view of the engagement as a tool for social mobility rather than a romantic union.

Question 5

Quote 4 - Mr Birling proclaims “…

Answer 5

• Mr birling proclaims ”and unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable.” This statement exemplifies Priestley’s use of dramatic irony, as the audience knows the Titanic did in fact sink.
• Mr birling’s repetition of “unsinkable” reflects his tendency to present his subjective opinions as objective facts, revealing his conceit as he speaks with such conviction.
• Through this statement, Priestley encourages the audience to question the reliability of his views, recognising that his confidence in his subjective beliefs is misplaced.

Question 6

Quote 5 - His patronising…

Answer 6

• His patronising demeanour is clearly conveyed where he says ”…like bees in a hive - community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters - and I’ve learnt in the good hard school of experience - that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”.
• Birling is derogatory of socialist and egalitarian values and his dismissive simile “like bees in a hive” trivialises these ideologies, suggesting that cooperation and community is “nonsense”.
• This is ironic as bees are highly organised and work efficiently due to their communal structure. Priestley uses this irony to highlight Birling’s foolishness as he arrogantly positions himself as the ultimate authority based on his age and capitalist ideologies.

Question 7

Quote 6 - Furthermore, Mr Birling’s self-righteousness…

Answer 7

• Furthermore, Mr Birling’s self-righteousness is encapsulated where he states ”Still, I can’t accept any responsibility”.
• This captures his moral blindness and complete refusal to acknowledge the impact of his actions.
• Use of adverb “still” suggests that, even after being confronted by the Inspector, Birling remains unwavering in his denial. In addition, his firm assertion “I can’t accept” suggests he is resistant to the Inspectors morality but also highlights his broader rejection of the entire concept of social responsibility.
• Priestley uses this line, and Birling’s continued denial, to criticise this kind of self-centred thinking and encourage the audience to reflect on their own attitudes towards power and community. He warns that when individuals in society refuse to take responsibility for others, it can lead to consequences for society as a whole.

Question 8

Quote 7 - Mr Birling’s exclamation “Rubbish!…

Answer 8

• Mr Birling’s exclamation “Rubbish! If you don’t come down sharply on some of these people, they’d soon be asking for the Earth” immediately dismisses any opposing view, with his aggressive tone highlighting his intolerance towards alternative perspectives, especially those involving social responsibility.
• The phrase “these people” reveals the way Birling views the working class as non-descript entities rather than individuals with unique experiences and feelings. By using such vague language, he dehumanises his employees by reducing them to a collective problem to be managed rather than human beings to be understood.
• Priestley critiques the capitalist mindset, exposing how the upper classes not only exploit workers but also strip them of identity and dignity.

Question 9

Quote 8 - Mr Birling’s line “Perhaps…

Answer 9

• Mr Birling’s line “Perhaps I ought to warn you that he’s an old friend of mine…” reveals his dependence on social status to assert dominance.
• The phrase “I ought to warn you” carries a veiled threat, suggesting that the inspector should tread carefully due to Birling’s influential connections.
• This not only reflects Birling’s arrogance but also highlights the corrupting nature of the capitalist class Priestley seeks to criticise.

Question 10

Quote 9 -

Answer 10

• Mr Birling says “It’s about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities”. This line exposes his deep hypocrisy and Priestley’s critique of generational arrogance. The authoritative tone implies that Birling sees himself as a responsible figure, yet the audience knows he has just denied any accountability for his role in Eva Smith’s death.
• Priestley uses Birling in this moment to reveal how the older generation often project blame onto the younger, refusing to reflect on their own actions. In addition, he presents Birling as a representation of the selfish, self-righteous attitudes of the older, upper class, who prioritise their own status over taking responsibility for their actions.