An Inspector Calls: Mr Birling

Alternative transcript:

and selfishness by reasoning that acting purely in ones' own self-interest is the only way to achieve prosperity. The audience recognises that is untrue, therefore viewing Mr Birling as a narrow-minded character as he is too blinded by hubris to consider other viewpoints. Furthermore, Mr Birling is presented as a capitalist in his declaration of his own world views because he believes that man must "look after himself", implying that he doesn't believe in taking responsibility for his impact on those around him. This opinion juxtaposes that of the inspector's, who Priestly employs as a vehicle to advocate for ideas of collective responsibility and an extended metaphor for justice and social equality. As a result, during Act 1, Mr Birling is presented as dismissive towards the news of the suicide an attitude conveyed to the audience through the use of evasive techniques during his interrogation in order to sidestep admitting ownership of his actions. However, Priestley structures the text to highlight Mr Birlings' change in attitude when it becomes clear that it will have a direct impact on himself - by causing a "public scandal". This has the effect of portraying Mr Birling as a self-centred, shallow narcissist. He views any damage to his reputation - an intangible, subjective notion perpetuated by toxic societal ideals - as more important than the destruction of a human life. Mr Birling's priorities are therefore demonstrably misplaced. He reacts "angrily" after the inspector has left the family, which suggests that he feels out of control and shows the breakdown of the power that he held at the beginning of the play. His emotional, distressed reaction is a tacit admission that Mr Birling knows what he did was wrong as he now recognises that he could be liable for punishment. Furthermore, Mr Birling is victimising himself by claiming that he will be the one to "suffer" the most from the news. Here, Priestly further destroys Mr Birling's moral credibility because it is clear to the audience that Eva Smith's situation undeniably demands the most ● Write about Mr Birling and how he is presented at different points in the play sympathy and not Mr Birling's. Therefore, the audience can infer that Mr Birling hasn't learnt anything about the ideas of collective responsibility and retains his individualist views. In the middle of Act 3, Mr Birling is presented as less sure of himself. The evident knock to Mr Birling's belief in his own infallibility demonstrates that the inspector's interrogation has had a greater impact on Mr Birling than he openly admits. By releasing "a huge sigh of relief" at the news that the inspector was not a legitimate member of the police force, Mr Birling indirectly confirms that he was concerned about the implications of the inspector's visit, thus exposing his bravado as a veneer. As a result, the audience sees Mr Birling in a position of vulnerability, which contrasts with his powerful social standing. Priestly therefore demonstrates that although Mr Birling is socially superior to the inspector, he is morally inferior. Therefore, Priestly is condemning the class system as an unreliable reference point for judgement of character. Just before receiving a call informing him of the impending visit from an inspector regarding a suicide which resembles exactly that of Eva Smith's, Mr Birling uses a mocking tone in attempt to infantilise his children, which shows that he views their empathy as a weakness. This presents Birling as a cold and uncaring character. By ridiculing the fact that the younger generation "know it all", Mr Birling is showing a tacit understanding that his views are outdated and in danger of being replaced by more progressive ways of thinking. Despite this, Mr Birling doesn't seek to change his attitude and is therefore portrayed as stubborn and complacent. Priestly wants the audience to understand that the "famous younger generation" offer hope for the future as they are more open to change. Mr Birling goes own to reinforce that "everything is different now", seizing upon the opportunity to diminish his guilt. Although the facts of the matter haven't changed, in Mr Birling's mind, he is no longer liable to punishment for them - which renders them insignificant. Priestley therefore demonstrates to the audience that he is unempathetic towards the sufferance of others. Furthermore, Mr Birling uses dismissive language to describe Eva Smith's suicide as a "joke" in an attempt to evade guilt by diminishing the situation. He feels that he has escaped punishment and therefore disregards the story as inconsequential, because it no longer threatens to impact upon himself. Therefore, it is evident that Mr Birling refuses to accept both the inspector's message and his own responsibility. The structure of the play is cyclical because it ends in the same way that it began, with the family contemplating their role in the suicide of a young girl. Mr Birling's character progression reflects this, as he returns to the same attitude that he held at the beginning of the play. However, in the last line of the final act, Mr Birling is informed that an inspector will be visiting them " - to ask some questions" regarding a suicide eerily similar to that of Eva Smith's. Birling's "guilty and dumbfounded" response is reflected in the dashes that break up Write about Mr Birling and how he is presented at different points in the play his speech, which Priestly employs in order to convey the breakdown of Birling's confidence. As a result, Birling is presented as a much weaker character at the end of the play than at the beginning.