Priestley portrays Mr Birling in a negative way by presenting him as an ignorant and foolish character by the use of
dramatic irony. As Mr Birling was delivering another speech at Sheila’s engagement party, he mentions that the
titanic was “unsinkable absolutely unsinkable”. As the play was written in 1945, the audience knows that the titanic
in fact sunk and was a major event in history. Instantly, this allows the audience to understand that Mr Birling is not
wise like he appears to be, but instead quite injudicious. Not only does Priestley’s use of the titanic make Birling look
foolish, but also uses it as a symbol to represent his arrogance. The titanic was a ship for the rich aristocrats of 1912
who thought highly of themselves, in a way similar to Birling. For Priestly to use the titanic as an example implies
that Arthur is also an arrogant and pompous character. The repetition of ‘unsinkable’ foreshadows the Birlings
sinking fate. The Titanic is a metaphor for Mr Birling’s character; it hints that he is doomed to sink within the arrival
of the Inspector. Furthermore, the Titanic could also be a metaphor for Mr Birling himself, who cannot see trouble -
the iceberg ahead. Mr Birling also makes another false prediction adding to the ridicule he is already facing by the
audience. He explains how all the talk about war does not faze him and how ‘the world is developing so fast that it’ll
make war impossible’. This usage of dramatic irony hints that he is dismissive of others’ views. It makes Birling
appear unintelligent as the audience know that there was indeed a war and in turn makes Birling sound insensitive.
It also makes Birling seem oblivious to his surroundings as the world has developed so well it made war even worse,
through the inventions of mustard gas, aeroplanes, and missiles.
Priestley portrays Birling’s capitalist views in a negative manner by having him present his thoughts at the
engagement party- showing Mr Birling’s selfishness. He compares socialism to being "As if we were all mixed up
together like bees in a hive”. Birling uses a simile to convey his dismissal of ideologies surrounding community and
social responsibility. The simile acts as belittlement, as if he finds the concept of socialism comical. “Bees” sting so it
could also foreshadow Mr Birling getting hurt in some way later on in the play. Birling also associates socialism with
words like ‘nonsense’ and ‘cranks’; he is trying to mock people who believe in socialism. Mr Birling is also presented
as having hypocritical views about personal responsibilities – they are inappropriate for a formal Lord Mayor and
future knight since both positions are associated with helping the community. This is immediately followed with the
arrival of the inspector who will challenge his uncaring attitude. It is evident that Mr Birling is driven by money. The
fact that he sees his daughter’s engagement as a chance to push for ‘lower costs and higher prices’ highlights his
greediness and we can clearly see money and profit are Mr Birling’s primary purposes in life – he is compromising
worker’s lives and pay just to save money. It shows that even in a momentous occasion for his family and his
daughter he is focused on his business and how to make more money for himself. By using the comparative
adjectives “higher” and lower”, the unfairness in a capitalist society is stressed and brings up the dilemma of the rich
getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Mr Birling’s thoughts are proven to be negative as he is unjust and self-
absorbed.
Priestly also places Birling in a negative light by being represented as being controlling. This is most prevalent when
the inspector comes into the scene - he is the first person to challenge Mr Birling’s authority. He clearly is not used to
being challenged as the inspector barely says anything before Mr Birling develops “a touch of impatience”. Birling is
agitated as the inspector’s arrival is knocking him off his precarious balance of security. As the inspector enters, Mr
Birling is quick to jump in and uses the imperative phrase “Have a glass or port – or a little whiskey”. It can also be
inferred that Birling is trying to use alcohol to make the inspector a bit more lenient towards him. However, the
inspector immediately takes control “No thank you, Mr Birling. I’m on duty”. This suggests that unlike Mr Birling, the
inspector is professional and will not let anything distract him from why he is at the Birling’s house. He is also
controlling over Eric as he doesn’t let him speak, and usually interrupts him when he tries to. “Yes I know- but
still-“The dash shows how Birling quickly interrupts Eric – he doesn’t think Eric’s opinion is important and tries to
force his own opinion on his son. This shows how Priestley has presented the generation gap between characters -
Mr Birling clearly thinks he is better than his son as he has gained “experience” through his working life and
ultimately, age. Unsurprisingly, Mr Birling doesn’t stop here; we see evidence of Priestley showing a inequality in
gender. He does not let Mrs Birling come in the way of his long speeches either. She tries to break his talk to the
“youngsters” by exclaiming “Arthur”, but this does not stop him. Although Mrs Birling is of a higher class than Mr
Birling, he overpowers her – he is the dominant figure in the family. Birling is seen to overlook everyone else’s
opinion and does not let anyone else speak and therefore he comes across as very negatively characterised
dramatic irony. As Mr Birling was delivering another speech at Sheila’s engagement party, he mentions that the
titanic was “unsinkable absolutely unsinkable”. As the play was written in 1945, the audience knows that the titanic
in fact sunk and was a major event in history. Instantly, this allows the audience to understand that Mr Birling is not
wise like he appears to be, but instead quite injudicious. Not only does Priestley’s use of the titanic make Birling look
foolish, but also uses it as a symbol to represent his arrogance. The titanic was a ship for the rich aristocrats of 1912
who thought highly of themselves, in a way similar to Birling. For Priestly to use the titanic as an example implies
that Arthur is also an arrogant and pompous character. The repetition of ‘unsinkable’ foreshadows the Birlings
sinking fate. The Titanic is a metaphor for Mr Birling’s character; it hints that he is doomed to sink within the arrival
of the Inspector. Furthermore, the Titanic could also be a metaphor for Mr Birling himself, who cannot see trouble -
the iceberg ahead. Mr Birling also makes another false prediction adding to the ridicule he is already facing by the
audience. He explains how all the talk about war does not faze him and how ‘the world is developing so fast that it’ll
make war impossible’. This usage of dramatic irony hints that he is dismissive of others’ views. It makes Birling
appear unintelligent as the audience know that there was indeed a war and in turn makes Birling sound insensitive.
It also makes Birling seem oblivious to his surroundings as the world has developed so well it made war even worse,
through the inventions of mustard gas, aeroplanes, and missiles.
Priestley portrays Birling’s capitalist views in a negative manner by having him present his thoughts at the
engagement party- showing Mr Birling’s selfishness. He compares socialism to being "As if we were all mixed up
together like bees in a hive”. Birling uses a simile to convey his dismissal of ideologies surrounding community and
social responsibility. The simile acts as belittlement, as if he finds the concept of socialism comical. “Bees” sting so it
could also foreshadow Mr Birling getting hurt in some way later on in the play. Birling also associates socialism with
words like ‘nonsense’ and ‘cranks’; he is trying to mock people who believe in socialism. Mr Birling is also presented
as having hypocritical views about personal responsibilities – they are inappropriate for a formal Lord Mayor and
future knight since both positions are associated with helping the community. This is immediately followed with the
arrival of the inspector who will challenge his uncaring attitude. It is evident that Mr Birling is driven by money. The
fact that he sees his daughter’s engagement as a chance to push for ‘lower costs and higher prices’ highlights his
greediness and we can clearly see money and profit are Mr Birling’s primary purposes in life – he is compromising
worker’s lives and pay just to save money. It shows that even in a momentous occasion for his family and his
daughter he is focused on his business and how to make more money for himself. By using the comparative
adjectives “higher” and lower”, the unfairness in a capitalist society is stressed and brings up the dilemma of the rich
getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Mr Birling’s thoughts are proven to be negative as he is unjust and self-
absorbed.
Priestly also places Birling in a negative light by being represented as being controlling. This is most prevalent when
the inspector comes into the scene - he is the first person to challenge Mr Birling’s authority. He clearly is not used to
being challenged as the inspector barely says anything before Mr Birling develops “a touch of impatience”. Birling is
agitated as the inspector’s arrival is knocking him off his precarious balance of security. As the inspector enters, Mr
Birling is quick to jump in and uses the imperative phrase “Have a glass or port – or a little whiskey”. It can also be
inferred that Birling is trying to use alcohol to make the inspector a bit more lenient towards him. However, the
inspector immediately takes control “No thank you, Mr Birling. I’m on duty”. This suggests that unlike Mr Birling, the
inspector is professional and will not let anything distract him from why he is at the Birling’s house. He is also
controlling over Eric as he doesn’t let him speak, and usually interrupts him when he tries to. “Yes I know- but
still-“The dash shows how Birling quickly interrupts Eric – he doesn’t think Eric’s opinion is important and tries to
force his own opinion on his son. This shows how Priestley has presented the generation gap between characters -
Mr Birling clearly thinks he is better than his son as he has gained “experience” through his working life and
ultimately, age. Unsurprisingly, Mr Birling doesn’t stop here; we see evidence of Priestley showing a inequality in
gender. He does not let Mrs Birling come in the way of his long speeches either. She tries to break his talk to the
“youngsters” by exclaiming “Arthur”, but this does not stop him. Although Mrs Birling is of a higher class than Mr
Birling, he overpowers her – he is the dominant figure in the family. Birling is seen to overlook everyone else’s
opinion and does not let anyone else speak and therefore he comes across as very negatively characterised
