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An Inspector Calls: Character Analysis of Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft
This guide provides an in-depth analysis of two key characters from J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls":
• Mr. Birling: A wealthy capitalist businessman representing greed and ignorance
• Gerald Croft: An aristocratic character bridging the older and younger generations
The analysis explores their roles, personalities, and significance within the play's themes of social responsibility and class divide.
11/25/2022
1218
Mr. Birling's character analysis in "An Inspector Calls" reveals him as a quintessential capitalist of the early 20th century. As a wealthy, white, middle-class businessman, he represents the privileged elite of 1912 society.
Quote: "hard-headed man of business"
This description encapsulates Mr. Birling's approach to life and business. He is portrayed as:
• Arrogant and selfish, caring primarily about social status • Ignorant of the consequences of his actions • Unsupportive of his children, Eric and Sheila • Admiring of Gerald Croft due to his higher social status
Mr. Birling's character is further defined by his:
• Refusal to take responsibility for his actions • Ignorance of the shameful deeds committed by his family • Adherence to right-wing political beliefs focusing on individual gain and profit • Confidence in his (ultimately incorrect) predictions about the future
Example: Mr. Birling's claim that the Titanic was "unsinkable" serves as dramatic irony, highlighting his misplaced confidence.
His interactions with the Inspector reveal his stubbornness and unwillingness to learn from the experience. This portrayal effectively critiques the capitalist mindset of the time.
Highlight: Mr. Birling's character serves to showcase the flaws in capitalist ideology and the dangers of prioritizing profit over social responsibility.
Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft are two pivotal characters in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls", each representing different aspects of early 20th century British society:
• Mr. Birling embodies the capitalist elite, showcasing greed, ignorance, and stubbornness of the middle class • Gerald Croft represents the aristocracy and serves as a bridge between the older and younger generations • Both characters highlight the play's themes of social responsibility, class divide, and the consequences of unchecked capitalism • Their reactions to the Inspector's revelations demonstrate the varying degrees of remorse and willingness to change across different social strata
Highlight: The character analysis of Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft provides crucial insights into the social commentary Priestley makes through "An Inspector Calls".
305
10224
10/11
An inspector calls quotes analysed
Analysed quotes with Priestley ideas
122
4377
9
Macbeth Themes and Quotations
Explaning themes in macbeth. Ambition, reality and appearance, good and evil and the supernatural. infomatoon based on the cgp macbeth revision guide.
26
721
12/13
journeys end
key information based on Journeys end
44
2404
10/11
Mrs Birling Quotes Page
Page of 5 quotes from An Inspector Calls of Mrs Birling with analysis.
32
694
13
Threat in Handmaid’s Tale and Frankenstien
The theme of threat in the novels
123
4383
11
An inspector calls Character summary and quotes
characters in presention: Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton, Sheila and Mrs Birling. More characters will be added as soon as possible. Where info was found and summarised at the end. :)
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Edie
@ediemay1
·
7 Followers
Follow
An Inspector Calls: Character Analysis of Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft
This guide provides an in-depth analysis of two key characters from J.B. Priestley's play "An Inspector Calls":
• Mr. Birling: A wealthy capitalist businessman representing greed and ignorance
• Gerald Croft: An aristocratic character bridging the older and younger generations
The analysis explores their roles, personalities, and significance within the play's themes of social responsibility and class divide.
Mr. Birling's character analysis in "An Inspector Calls" reveals him as a quintessential capitalist of the early 20th century. As a wealthy, white, middle-class businessman, he represents the privileged elite of 1912 society.
Quote: "hard-headed man of business"
This description encapsulates Mr. Birling's approach to life and business. He is portrayed as:
• Arrogant and selfish, caring primarily about social status • Ignorant of the consequences of his actions • Unsupportive of his children, Eric and Sheila • Admiring of Gerald Croft due to his higher social status
Mr. Birling's character is further defined by his:
• Refusal to take responsibility for his actions • Ignorance of the shameful deeds committed by his family • Adherence to right-wing political beliefs focusing on individual gain and profit • Confidence in his (ultimately incorrect) predictions about the future
Example: Mr. Birling's claim that the Titanic was "unsinkable" serves as dramatic irony, highlighting his misplaced confidence.
His interactions with the Inspector reveal his stubbornness and unwillingness to learn from the experience. This portrayal effectively critiques the capitalist mindset of the time.
Highlight: Mr. Birling's character serves to showcase the flaws in capitalist ideology and the dangers of prioritizing profit over social responsibility.
Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft are two pivotal characters in J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls", each representing different aspects of early 20th century British society:
• Mr. Birling embodies the capitalist elite, showcasing greed, ignorance, and stubbornness of the middle class • Gerald Croft represents the aristocracy and serves as a bridge between the older and younger generations • Both characters highlight the play's themes of social responsibility, class divide, and the consequences of unchecked capitalism • Their reactions to the Inspector's revelations demonstrate the varying degrees of remorse and willingness to change across different social strata
Highlight: The character analysis of Mr. Birling and Gerald Croft provides crucial insights into the social commentary Priestley makes through "An Inspector Calls".
English Literature - An inspector calls quotes analysed
Analysed quotes with Priestley ideas
305
10224
0
English Literature - Macbeth Themes and Quotations
Explaning themes in macbeth. Ambition, reality and appearance, good and evil and the supernatural. infomatoon based on the cgp macbeth revision guide.
122
4377
1
English Literature - journeys end
key information based on Journeys end
26
721
0
English Literature - Mrs Birling Quotes Page
Page of 5 quotes from An Inspector Calls of Mrs Birling with analysis.
44
2404
0
English Literature - Threat in Handmaid’s Tale and Frankenstien
The theme of threat in the novels
32
694
0
English Literature - An inspector calls Character summary and quotes
characters in presention: Eva Smith/ Daisy Renton, Sheila and Mrs Birling. More characters will be added as soon as possible. Where info was found and summarised at the end. :)
123
4383
0
Average App Rating
Students use Knowunity
In Education App Charts in 12 Countries
Students uploaded study notes
iOS User
Stefan S, iOS User
SuSSan, iOS User
