Mr. Arthur Birling is one of the main figures in J.B. Priestley’s iconic play An Inspector Calls (1945). Serving as the head of the Birling family, Arthur Birling is a prosperous businessman and a prominent figure in society. His character is integral to the play’s themes, providing a lens through which Priestley critiques social inequality, the hypocrisy of the upper classes, and the attitudes of the pre-World War I establishment.
In this article, we will explore Mr. Birling’s character, his role within the narrative, his social and political views, and how he serves as a representation of class divide in early 20th-century Britain. We will also delve into his relationship with the other characters, the significance of his actions, and how modern audiences and critics interpret his portrayal.
The Character’s Background:
Arthur Birling is depicted as a self-assured, wealthy industrialist who is in his early 50s. He is the father of the Birling family and husband to Sybil Birling. His children, Sheila and Eric, are central characters in the plot, with their interactions with their father often serving as a critique of their upbringing and the values they inherit from him.
In An Inspector Calls, Mr. Birling holds the position of a successful businessman, owner of the Birling & Co. factory, and is clearly proud of his status. He is also a prominent local figure, holding the title of a “knighthood,” and is keen to impress those around him with his social connections. His character is often seen as representing the capitalist ideals of the time: individualism, self-reliance, and an unwavering belief in the class system.
Mr. Birling’s Role in An Inspector Calls
The plot of An Inspector Calls revolves around the sudden arrival of Inspector Goole at the Birling family’s home during a celebratory dinner. The Inspector investigates the family’s involvement in the life and death of Eva Smith, a working-class woman who tragically commits suicide. Each member of the Birling family is shown to have played a role in Eva’s downfall, revealing their moral failings and the broader societal issues at play.
Mr. Birling’s role within the play is crucial because he embodies the denial and defensiveness that comes with privilege. As the head of the family, his responses to the Inspector’s probing questions expose his arrogance and refusal to take responsibility for his actions or acknowledge the social inequalities that sustain his wealth.
Mr. Birling’s Self-Confidence:
At the start of the play, Mr. Birling is portrayed as a man full of confidence, almost to the point of arrogance. He is convinced that the future is bright, both for himself and for society. He dismisses concerns about war and social unrest, claiming that “the Titanic is unsinkable,” and that “there’s a lot of wild talk about the unions,” implying that social movements like the Labour Party are nothing to worry about.
His certainty about the progress of society is a reflection of the time period in which the play is set. Before World War I, there was a sense of optimism, especially among the upper classes, that the status quo would remain unchallenged. Priestley uses Mr. Birling’s character to highlight the complacency of the ruling elite, who believed that social hierarchies were natural and that the lower classes had no right to challenge them.
Responsibility and Class Divide:
Throughout the play, Mr. Birling refuses to accept any responsibility for the death of Eva Smith. He is portrayed as a man who believes that individual success is earned through hard work, and that the working class’s struggles are the result of their own failings. This belief is made clear when he explains that “a man has to make his own way,” suggesting that Eva’s tragic fate is her own fault for not being diligent enough in her work.
The central theme of An Inspector Calls is social responsibility, and Mr. Birling’s refusal to acknowledge his complicity in Eva’s death highlights the moral decay of the upper classes. Priestley uses Birling to show that wealth and power are often built upon the exploitation of the working class, and that those in positions of privilege are often blind to the suffering they cause.
Birling’s Blinded Optimism:
Mr. Birling’s political views are influenced by his belief in the inevitability of progress. He is so convinced that the future will be a better place for the wealthy, as well as for society in general, that he dismisses any potential threat to the status quo. His dismissal of the threat of war and his belief that social movements such as unions are insignificant reveal his narrow view of the world. His optimism, however, is ultimately proven to be misguided by the tragic events that unfold during the play.
Priestley uses Mr. Birling to represent the complacency of the upper classes in the pre-World War I period. Birling’s beliefs and actions reflect a society that was unwilling to address social injustice and inequality, leading to the social upheaval and economic collapse that followed the war.
Mr. Birling’s Relationships with Other Characters
The dynamic between Mr. Birling and his family is central to understanding his character. While he presents himself as a successful businessman and family man, his interactions with his children, Sheila and Eric, reveal a more self-serving and authoritarian personality. Mr. Birling’s relationship with his wife, Sybil, is also significant in terms of understanding the social values he upholds.
Mr. Birling and Sheila: At the beginning of the play, Mr. Birling treats his daughter, Sheila, with a sense of paternal control. He is eager to impress her with his success and sees her marriage to Gerald Croft as a means of elevating the family’s social standing. However, as the investigation into Eva Smith unfolds, Mr. Birling’s treatment of Sheila becomes more detached, particularly when it becomes clear that his actions played a role in Eva’s death. Despite this, he shows little remorse, believing that his daughter’s emotional reaction is misplaced.
Mr. Birling and Eric: Mr. Birling’s relationship with his son, Eric, is one of distant authority. Eric’s struggles with alcoholism and his eventual confession that he had impregnated Eva Smith highlight the generation gap and the moral failings of Mr. Birling’s upbringing. Mr. Birling is blind to his son’s issues and refuses to acknowledge that his strict, authoritarian approach to parenting has failed to foster a healthy relationship with his children.
Mr. Birling and Sybil: Mr. Birling’s relationship with his wife, Sybil, is rooted in mutual respect for their social standing. Both share a conservative view on class and social structures, and together they form the backbone of the family’s moral code. Sybil’s role in the play is more prominent in her interactions with the Inspector, where she reveals her cold and dismissive attitude toward the working class, much like her husband.
FAQs
What are Mr. Birling’s views on social responsibility?
Mr. Birling holds firm capitalist beliefs, rejecting the idea of collective social responsibility. He is dismissive of the welfare of the working class and believes that everyone should “look after their own” rather than rely on social or government intervention. He is a staunch believer in self-reliance and individual success. His character represents the self-interest and complacency of the upper class in pre-World War I Britain, and his attitudes are sharply criticized by the play’s moral message.
How does Mr. Birling react to the Inspector’s questioning?
Mr. Birling is initially confident that he can brush off the Inspector’s investigation. He denies any wrongdoing, stubbornly clings to his views, and tries to use his social status to discredit the Inspector. When he learns of his family’s involvement in the death of Eva Smith, he remains mostly unrepentant and continues to justify his actions. He denies any responsibility for the tragedy, despite the mounting evidence of his actions leading to Eva Smith’s downfall.
Why is Mr. Birling significant in An Inspector Calls?
Mr. Birling serves as a representative of the upper class’s attitudes towards wealth, power, and social hierarchy. He is a major figure in the play, shaping the moral conflict between the older and younger generations. Through his interactions with the Inspector, Mr. Birling becomes a vehicle for Priestley’s critique of social injustice, the lack of empathy from the wealthy towards the working class, and the dangers of unchecked capitalism. His eventual dismissal of his responsibility for Eva Smith’s death underscores the central theme of collective responsibility.
In Summary
Mr. Birling is a character whose actions and attitudes provide valuable insight into the social issues of early 20th-century Britain. His role in An Inspector Calls serves as a critique of the capitalist class and the moral shortcomings of the wealthy elite. Priestley’s portrayal of Mr. Birling, with his blind optimism and refusal to take responsibility, remains a powerful commentary on the need for social change and collective responsibility.
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