An ‘An Inspector Calls’ Model Essay on Arthur Birling’s Character

Alternative transcript:

place because of her higher status in society. By mocking Goole's authority over him, Mr Birling presumes that he is lower-middle class, which would make sense as the job of an inspector would have typically been taken by someone of lower-middle class in Edwardian society. Unlike Arthur, the audience of this play would most likely have been emboldened by 'An inspector Calls' due to Priestley's support of the socialist message presented through Arthur Birling's ignorance towards lower classes influenced by Capitalism Excellents In Act Three, Arthur Birling is portrayed as an ageist to criticise 1912's capitalist society. Arthur says 'the famous younger generation who know it all', referring to Eric and Sheila. The determiner pronoun 'all' connotes that Arthur Birling is offended that, perhaps the 'younger generation' actually do know more than him; Which, in this case, they do as the Birling children present a lot more socialist ideology than he does. This is furthered by Arthur saying, 'And they can't even take a joke -'. The adverb 'even' suggests that he is thinking up anything to negatively associate the younger generation with and exacerbate their supposed uselessness. Ageism was a common view that Capitalists had in 1912, this means that it is likely that the audience of the play would relate to this oppression, probably from their superiors at work. Priestley portrays Arthur Birling as an ageist to advocate for the socialist message. Throughout the entirety of the play 'An Inspector Calls', J.B. Priestley uses Arthur Birling as a tool to promote socialist ideas through his Capitalism, Ageism and ignorance towards the lower classes and the younger generation in an Edwardian society. Brilliant superbly well-munded essay!