Characters Inspector Calls Arthur Birling l l l

Characters Inspector Calls

Arthur Birling l l l l l Capitalist “heavy-looking rather portentous man” his appearance is large and threatening Catalyst for the Inspector’s arrival Tries to bribe the Inspector Buys same port as Gerald’s father Self-confident Bumptious (noisily assertive) Bigoted (doesn’t care about opinions of others) Not as much in control as he thinks

Sybil Birling l Arrogant l Ignorant l Conceited l Pompous l “rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior” l Lack of conscience l Unsympathetic

Sheila Birling l l l l l “pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited” Happy? ? ? Sensitive Socialist Jealous Regret, remorse Sympathetic Honest Gains responsibility

Eric Birling l l l l “Squiffy” Awkward “Not quite at ease, half shy, half assertive” Does not have his father’s affection or approval Sympathetic Violent – rape Matures through play ironic he learnt nothing through his privileged education Gains responsibility

Gerald Croft l Capitalist l Love? ? ? l Self-confident l Affair l Acts on suspicions l Learns a lesson? ? ?

Eva Smith / Daisy Renton l l Eva = Eve as in the bible. Smith = most common English surname. Therefore she is a symbol for every woman, or, more generally, the people we meet in our everyday lives Never know her true name Pretty Her tragedy is used by the Inspector to make us think of our responsibility towards others

The Inspector l l l l Omniscient Phantom “an impression of massiveness, solidity and purposefulness” Priestly speaks through him He is in control of events Does not forgive Symbol of morality Abrasive