Paragraph 1;
Priestley uses Mr Birling’s first speech in Act One to suggest several things about his
character; ‘Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet. And I’m talking as a hard-
headed, practical man of business’. At this early stage of the novella Priestley presents Mr
Birling as an epitome of capitalism and a character who echoes capitalistic ideas. This is
evident by the adjective ‘practical’ which is symbolic of Birlings capitalistic views because it
illustrates that Birling has very clear goals which are closely interlinked with very strong
capitalistic views. Moreover, Birling is depicted, by Priestley, as a ‘hard -headed man of
business’ this clearly shows the obsession that Birling has for his reputation and status and
his strong beliefs in the capitalistic ideology. This implication gives the reader a clear
indication of Birlings capitalistic views and beliefs. Priestley may employ the character of
Birling as a representation of capitalism within Edwardian society and the dire consequence
of adhering to these views. This is undoubtedly portrayed in Birlings selfish and self-centred
nature displaying the reader and audience the ramifications of believing in these views.
Paragraph 2:
As Act One progresses, and Inspector Goole reveals that a young woman named Eva Smith
has died, Mr Birling’s reactions suggest a lot about his character; ‘Yes, yes. Horrible
business. But I don’t understand why you should come here, Inspector’. Throughout the
conclusion of Act One Priestley continues to depict Birling as an epitome of capitalism and
echoes the capitalistic views. Priestley makes this much more vivid to the reader by
employing the character of Inspector Goole to catalyse the lucid depiction of Birling being
an epitome of capitalism. The vast juxtaposition between the Inspector and Birling clearly
accentuates the capitalistic views of Birling. Moreover, Birling says: ‘yes, yes’ this repetition
of the exclamation: ‘yes’ gives the clear implications that Birling is very dismissive and
restless somewhat indicating to the reader that Birling is hiding something they don’t know.
This not only demonstrates that Birling is hurried and is rushed but shows that he is very
self-centred as he is very quickly dismissing his inclusion in Eva’s death very clearly showing
that he is only obsessed in himself and this mirrors capitalistic views that those who are rich
should tend to themselves and the poor should suffer financially even more.
Paragraph 3:
Priestley continues to suggest that Mr Birling is a ruthless individualist as he responds to the
Inspector’s continued accusations; ‘Still, I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all
responsible for everything … it would be very awkward’. As the novella further progresses
Priestley sustains the depiction of Birling being an epitome of capitalism as he is unable and
unwilling to accept that he indeed had a part to play in the death of Eva Smith. This is
evident in the very explicit phrase: ‘I can’t accept any responsibility’. This explicit denial by
Birling clearly expresses his overwhelming individualistic beliefs and echoing the earlier
depiction of Birling being an epitome of capitalism. The values distinctly portrayed by Birling
overwhelmingly depicts Birling as very dismissive and self-centred. Priestley may utilise
Birling in this manor to demonstrate the culmination of abiding by capitalistic views. This
clearly shows that Birling is utilised as a model of what Priestley fundamentally believes is
the incorrect believe about others and society.
Priestley uses Mr Birling’s first speech in Act One to suggest several things about his
character; ‘Just let me finish, Eric. You’ve a lot to learn yet. And I’m talking as a hard-
headed, practical man of business’. At this early stage of the novella Priestley presents Mr
Birling as an epitome of capitalism and a character who echoes capitalistic ideas. This is
evident by the adjective ‘practical’ which is symbolic of Birlings capitalistic views because it
illustrates that Birling has very clear goals which are closely interlinked with very strong
capitalistic views. Moreover, Birling is depicted, by Priestley, as a ‘hard -headed man of
business’ this clearly shows the obsession that Birling has for his reputation and status and
his strong beliefs in the capitalistic ideology. This implication gives the reader a clear
indication of Birlings capitalistic views and beliefs. Priestley may employ the character of
Birling as a representation of capitalism within Edwardian society and the dire consequence
of adhering to these views. This is undoubtedly portrayed in Birlings selfish and self-centred
nature displaying the reader and audience the ramifications of believing in these views.
Paragraph 2:
As Act One progresses, and Inspector Goole reveals that a young woman named Eva Smith
has died, Mr Birling’s reactions suggest a lot about his character; ‘Yes, yes. Horrible
business. But I don’t understand why you should come here, Inspector’. Throughout the
conclusion of Act One Priestley continues to depict Birling as an epitome of capitalism and
echoes the capitalistic views. Priestley makes this much more vivid to the reader by
employing the character of Inspector Goole to catalyse the lucid depiction of Birling being
an epitome of capitalism. The vast juxtaposition between the Inspector and Birling clearly
accentuates the capitalistic views of Birling. Moreover, Birling says: ‘yes, yes’ this repetition
of the exclamation: ‘yes’ gives the clear implications that Birling is very dismissive and
restless somewhat indicating to the reader that Birling is hiding something they don’t know.
This not only demonstrates that Birling is hurried and is rushed but shows that he is very
self-centred as he is very quickly dismissing his inclusion in Eva’s death very clearly showing
that he is only obsessed in himself and this mirrors capitalistic views that those who are rich
should tend to themselves and the poor should suffer financially even more.
Paragraph 3:
Priestley continues to suggest that Mr Birling is a ruthless individualist as he responds to the
Inspector’s continued accusations; ‘Still, I can’t accept any responsibility. If we were all
responsible for everything … it would be very awkward’. As the novella further progresses
Priestley sustains the depiction of Birling being an epitome of capitalism as he is unable and
unwilling to accept that he indeed had a part to play in the death of Eva Smith. This is
evident in the very explicit phrase: ‘I can’t accept any responsibility’. This explicit denial by
Birling clearly expresses his overwhelming individualistic beliefs and echoing the earlier
depiction of Birling being an epitome of capitalism. The values distinctly portrayed by Birling
overwhelmingly depicts Birling as very dismissive and self-centred. Priestley may utilise
Birling in this manor to demonstrate the culmination of abiding by capitalistic views. This
clearly shows that Birling is utilised as a model of what Priestley fundamentally believes is
the incorrect believe about others and society.
