An Inspector Calls Essay
Points (Mr Birling and
Sheila Birling ONLY)
, How does Priestley use Mr Birling to
present selfishness?
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses the character of Mr
Birling to symbolise the selfishness of the capitalist upper
class. Through Mr Birling's dialogue, behaviour, and his
interactions with other characters, Priestley critiques those
who prioritise personal gain over social responsibility. Mr
Birling becomes a/mouthpiece for the arrogant
individualism that Priestley, a socialist, vehemently
opposed.
From the outset, Mr Birling is portrayed as deeply self-
centred. In Act 1, he declares that "a man has to mind his
own business and look after himself and his own," directly
opposing the Inspector's message of collective
responsibility. This line epitomises Birling's selfish
worldview: he believes success is a personal endeavour and
that social responsibility is irrelevant. Priestley deliberately
constructs this speech to be interrupted by the Inspector's
arrival, symbolising how this egotistical mindset will be
challenged and ultimately undermined. The timing of the
Inspector's entrance - cutting Birling off mid-sentence -
suggests Priestley's condemnation of such self-interest.
Moreover, Mr Birling's selfishness is evident in his attitudes
toward class and economics. When he discusses Eva
Smith's sacking, he justifies it coldly: "If you don't come
down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be
asking for the earth." His refusal to grant her a small wage
increase is a clear act of selfishness, prioritising profit over
the well-being of his workers. Priestley uses this to expose
the dehumanising effects of unchecked capitalism, where
the working class are seen not as individuals, but as tools
for economic growth. Birling's metaphorical exaggeration -
suggesting that asking for a liveable wage is akin to
demanding "the earth" - illustrates how distorted and
greedy his perspective is.
Points (Mr Birling and
Sheila Birling ONLY)
, How does Priestley use Mr Birling to
present selfishness?
In An Inspector Calls, Priestley uses the character of Mr
Birling to symbolise the selfishness of the capitalist upper
class. Through Mr Birling's dialogue, behaviour, and his
interactions with other characters, Priestley critiques those
who prioritise personal gain over social responsibility. Mr
Birling becomes a/mouthpiece for the arrogant
individualism that Priestley, a socialist, vehemently
opposed.
From the outset, Mr Birling is portrayed as deeply self-
centred. In Act 1, he declares that "a man has to mind his
own business and look after himself and his own," directly
opposing the Inspector's message of collective
responsibility. This line epitomises Birling's selfish
worldview: he believes success is a personal endeavour and
that social responsibility is irrelevant. Priestley deliberately
constructs this speech to be interrupted by the Inspector's
arrival, symbolising how this egotistical mindset will be
challenged and ultimately undermined. The timing of the
Inspector's entrance - cutting Birling off mid-sentence -
suggests Priestley's condemnation of such self-interest.
Moreover, Mr Birling's selfishness is evident in his attitudes
toward class and economics. When he discusses Eva
Smith's sacking, he justifies it coldly: "If you don't come
down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be
asking for the earth." His refusal to grant her a small wage
increase is a clear act of selfishness, prioritising profit over
the well-being of his workers. Priestley uses this to expose
the dehumanising effects of unchecked capitalism, where
the working class are seen not as individuals, but as tools
for economic growth. Birling's metaphorical exaggeration -
suggesting that asking for a liveable wage is akin to
demanding "the earth" - illustrates how distorted and
greedy his perspective is.
