Mr Birling character profile

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  • Mr Arthur Birling
    • Proud
      • He is very confident
        • Head of his own family and business
        • Likes to be in control and is constantly reminding everyone he is in charge- tells the inspector: 'angrily' "Well  - if you don't mind - I'll find out first".
        • His authority is still undermined, The Inspector reveals him as an ambitious anxious man who ignores the need of others to gain profits
    • Successful and ambitious businessman
      • Hints that his and Gerald's companies could merge
      • he believes he is successful because he is a 'hard headed, practical man of business' which he seems to apply to all aspects of his life
      • He is optimistic about the future, dismisses fear of war as: "silly little war stories" which is dramatic irony to show how he is foolish and short natured- so the audience can disagree with his political views
    • Won't accept responsibility
      • Won't accept the idea of social responsibility and regards Goole as a 'crank'
      • doesn't believe in "community and all that nonsense" people below him are "cheap labour"
      • He is selfish and self centred and would rather think the inspector's visit was a hoax than to reflect on what he has done
    • Respected
      • As he is a public figure he is terrified it would cause a scandal. he would 'give thousands' to keep it quiet
      • He is clearly not used to being challenged, not long after the inspector arrives he shows a 'touch of impatience'
      • When the night and his family is falling apart he blames the inspector- 'nasty mess'
    • Anxious
      • Tries to win the Croft's approval
      • Tries to draw attention to influential connections
      • The inspector is threatening his middle class values
  • Priestly uses authoritive language choices such as 'of course' at the end of a sentence to make his statement obvious and matter of fact and shouts 'rubbish' if he doesn't agree
    • He is very confident
      • Head of his own family and business
      • Likes to be in control and is constantly reminding everyone he is in charge- tells the inspector: 'angrily' "Well  - if you don't mind - I'll find out first".
      • His authority is still undermined, The Inspector reveals him as an ambitious anxious man who ignores the need of others to gain profits

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