Character analysis- Mr Birling

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  • Mr Birling
    • Head of Birling household
    • Hard-headed business man
    • Wealthy
    • Active member of community
    • Possesive
      • "Is there any reason why my wife must answer questions from you, inspector?"
        • Emphasises Sybil is 'His' wife suggesting he sees her as a possession. Does not allow Sybil to speak for herself here.
    • Old fashioned views on women (sexist)
      • "...Clothes mean something different to a woman. Not just something to wear and not just something to make 'em look prettier"
        • Quite sexist. The fact he thinks clothes "make 'em look prettier" shows he objectifies women.
    • Arrogant- beginning
      • Long speeches that audience know is false
        • "And I'm talking as a hard-headed particle man of business and I say there isn't a chance of war. The world's developing so fast that it'll make war impossible."
          • Confident there will not be a war but the audience knows that ww1 begins 2 years after. Arrogance and complacency made very clear. Audience lose trust in him.
    • Materialistic
    • Capatalist
      • Main concern-making money. Comes across as greedy.
        • "We may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together- for lower costs and higher prices"
          • Clear he is driven by money. Uses daughter's engagement as chance to push for 'lower costs and higher prices'- greed. Doesn't consider impact that lower costs will have on others, just cares about increase in money.

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