The characters of An Inspector Calls Arthur Birling

The characters of An Inspector Calls

Arthur Birling What does he do? 1) Hinting that his company could merge with Gerald’s father’s company. Impending marriage – Birling sees it as a merger between two businesses. 2) Revealed that he sacked Eva Smith after she and some other girls went on strike to try to obtain higher wages. 3) A public figure in Brumley, when his good name is threatened, he is terrified and would ‘give thousands’ to Goole to avoid a scandal. 4) Eager to accept the fact that the Inspector is a ‘hoax’, and feels little remorse at the end of the play.

Optimistic about the future – ‘silly little war scares’ Capitalist in his outlook – doesn’t believe in ‘community and all that nonsense’ Isn’t used to being challenged – the Inspector barely speaks before Birling shows ‘a touch of impatience’. Anxious – desperately trying to win the Crofts’ approval by talking about his knighthood, getting Gerald’s father’s favourite port, draws attention to his important connections. (Birling’s a wealthy businessman but it was more prestigious to come from an ‘old county family’ like the Crofts that had land, inherited wealth and titles!)

What’s that you say about capitalism – eh? ! Capitalism – The economy should be controlled by private companies working for profit, rather than the state (the benefit of everyone). Socialism – Wealth should be distributed equally amongst everyone.

How does he speak? Criticises those who interrupt his lengthy speeches! Shouts ‘Rubbish!’ to dismiss what others have said – finishes his own sentences with ‘of course’ to make his own claims seem obvious and unquestionable! Patronising -talks down to young men calling them, ‘you youngsters’ and ‘my boy’ Most associated with dramatic irony – Priestley is highlighting how he is a fool, and likely to be wrong on other matters too (such as his capitalist views)

Uses hyperbolic language in Act One (e. g. ‘There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere’). This style of language never returns after the Inspector challenges his authority.

Sheila What does she do? 1) Celebrating engagement with Gerald at dinner with the family 2) Revealed that she abused her status as a wealthy customer at Milwards, when she insisted that they dismiss Eva/Daisy due to her jealousy. 3) Finds out about Gerald’s affair with Daisy (when she was a prostitute) and gives him the ring back 4) Arguably the most eager of all the characters to learn from her mistakes and feel remorse

To begin with, somewhat childish and superficial. Sheltered upbringing – has been indulged and is not fully aware of the plight of the working classes Quickly aware of the Inspector’s strategy and how he is working Later on, accountable for her actions – appears to be genuinely remorseful Represents hope for the future – the ‘younger generation’ are willing to change

How does she speak/act? Early on, use of contemporary slang – ‘squiffy’, ‘chump’ – perhaps makes her seem a little frivolous and that she has nothing of importance to say. Later on, Sheila almost becomes a little like the Inspector herself: Asking Gerald as many questions as the Inspector himself Undermining/contradicting her parents In the same way that the Inspector startles the characters, Sheila shocks Eric by revealing that his mother refused to help Eva/Daisy.

Gerald Croft What does he do? 1) Engagement to Sheila – Birling keen to impress him. 2) Confesses that he had an affair with Daisy Renton in the summer (introduced by this name to him). Sheila hands engagement ring back. 3) Realises Inspector was not a police officer. Sides with Mr Birling focusing on how to protect the family’s reputation.

How does he speak? Polite, charming, highly supportive of what Birling says. At only one point, do his emotions seem to overwhelm him, and both stage directions and the fragmented sentences reflect this: Gerald: (distressed) Sorry – I – well, I’ve suddenly realised – taken it all in properly – that’s she’s dead.

Upper-class In many ways, a younger version of Arthur Birling (supports Birling’s views in Act One) though he is higher than him in the class system Complex in terms of his morality – Inspector deduces that ‘he had some affection’ for Eva/Daisy – but then he left her and went on a business trip. Doesn’t appear to have learned much about himself at the end of the play. Hypocritical – separates public respectable image from sordid private acts. Inspector deliberately shines a light on Gerald’s hypocrisy Inspector: And you think unpleasant women ought to be protected against unpleasant and disturbing things? Gerald: If possible - yes Inspector: Well, we know one young woman who wasn’t, don’t we? ’

Mrs Birling (Sybil) What does she do? 1) Corrects other people at the dinner table (e. g. tells her husband off for saying the food was good in front of a guest. It wasn’t polite to mention the cook or lower servants. Also tells her daughter off for using slang. 2) Refuses to help Eva/Daisy when she came to the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation for help 3) Lead by the Inspector, ends up blaming the father of Eva/Daisy’s unborn child – without realising it is her own son, she demands that he should be made to pay and confess publicly. 4) Won’t accept responsibility at all and repeatedly tells people that she’d already guessed it was a hoax (she says this ‘triumphantly’).

Concerned with etiquette (outward social conduct/behaving in a ‘proper’ fashion) rather than true morality. It’s interesting that she says that the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation only supports the most ‘deserving cases’. It seems that ‘deserving’ does not simply mean the difference between the poor who can’t help it, and those who could change their circumstances – Mrs Birling has the authority to decide who is ‘deserving’, subject to her own prejudices. Self-centred - even when it comes to her own family! Hasn’t noticed her own son’s alcoholism and dismisses her daughter’s initial worries that Gerald lost interest last summer. Steadfast (unchanging) in her views/proud Prejudiced: With reference to Eva/Daisy, ‘As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money’. ‘Girl of that sort’ – very much dismissing Eva, and showing she has preconceived ideas about what she’s like, due to her having been a prostitute, and, of course, belonging to a lower class.

Mrs Birling (Sybil) How does she talk? She answers ‘haughtily’, ‘sharply’, ‘bitterly’. Shows feelings of disgust – refers to Eva as a ‘girl of that sort’ Considers it her ‘duty’ to reject Eva’s application for help – a moral sounding word, but her duty is really to maintaining a social status, by not associating with girls ‘of that sort’.

Eric Birling What does he do? 1) There are hints early on in the play that all is not well with Eric – familarity with quick heavy drinking, not quite at ease (stage directions) 2) Met Eva/Daisy when working as a prostitute – got her pregnant. Suggestion that he forced himself on her. 3) Stole money from father’s business to support her 4) Accepts responsibility for what he did – ‘the fact remains I did what I did’. Angrily criticises parents: ‘You lot may be letting yourselves out nicely’.

Key moments Laughs unexpectedly –shows he drinks. Laughing sarcastically at Gerald’s suggestion he was at work over the summer – conceals secrets.

Behaviour overlooked by family. ‘Steady the Buffs’ – a little inappropriate. Later on – ‘He’s only a boy’. Seen as immature rather than troubled?

Difficult relationship with father (Birling) Birling favours Gerald – confides in him about potential knighthood. Moment of humour between Gerald and Birling Gerald: ‘unless Eric’s been up to something’ (when doorbell rings)

Eric has different social views to his father. ‘Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? ’ Sympathetic to those in a lower class to himself.

Worrying view of women (misogynistic) ‘insisted’ that Eva Smith let him into her lodgings ‘I was in that state where a chap easily turns nasty’ Can’t remember encounter afterwards

Shows remorse at the end/remorseful Wants family to take responsibility ‘The girl’s still dead isn’t she? ’ ‘Bursting out’ – interrupting his mother and wanting to make his point.

Seems like he has learned from the experience/seems willing to change

deeply unhappy dishonest distant from family more socialist views than Birling heavy drinker misogynistic (questionable morals with regard to Eva/Daisy) remorseful/takes responsibility at end of play

How does he speak? Challenges Birling’s views (and therefore causes the audience to question them too).

The Inspector What does the Inspector do? 1) Questions each of the characters about their involvement with Eva/Daisy’s death – ‘one line of inquiry at a time’. Leads them to admit their guilt (although some of them don’t feel guilty!) 2) Reveals new information bit by bit to heighten drama – it is dropped into the conversation that ‘this girl was going to have a child’. 3) Delivers a speech about social responsibility: ‘We don’t live alone. We are members of one body’. 4) Confusion as to who he was.

enigmatic an outsider (in the sense that his own class isn’t obvious – ‘plain darkish suit of the period’) authoritative almost has the air of a prophet/religious figure socialist/Priestley’s mouthpiece has a real sense of moral ‘duty’ as opposed to Mrs Birling’s concept of ‘duty’ (which is really adherence to etiquette)

How does he talk/act? Priestley’s timing is crucial – enters just as Birling has said that ‘a man has to mind his own business’. (The Inspector is about to prove the exact opposite!) Blunt/direct/ not afraid to ask personal questions – ‘Were you in love with her? ’ (to Gerald) Uses graphic language to elicit strong reactions (Sheila is ‘rather distressed’ by his description of Eva). Interrupts – verging on rudeness, he ignores polite etiquette Follows up questions with more questions until he has pieced together a confession

How does he talk? But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths still left with us, with their lives, their hopes and fears, their suffering and chance of happiness, all intertwined with our lives, and what we think and say and do. We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. And I tell you that the time will soon come when, if men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood anguish. Good night. P. 207 one of many socialist viewpoint emphasised – and has Biblical echoes religious sounding rhetoric – almost like a preacher who is threatening damnation, or a prophet who is predicting the future for these people. The Inspector almost seems to be in possession of an authority that comes from God himself.

Eva Smith/Daisy Renton 1) Factory worker at Birling and company – Birling sacked her for striking for higher wages. 2) Shop assistant at Milwards – sacked out of jealousy by Sheila. 3) Prostitute and mistress to Gerald (known as Daisy Renton) – ‘rescued’ her from the life of a prostitute, but then abandoned her when it suited him. 4) Has to return to prostitution (Daisy Renton) – Eric forces himself on her and got her pregnant 5) Seeks help from Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation

If Eva was to come up, the way you can explore her is through what other characters say about her – she is presented through the eyes of the characters. . . Useful bits: Mr Birling: Acknowledges that she was a ‘good worker’ and ‘a lively good-looking girl’ but, then after the strike, ‘She’d had a lot to say – far too much – so she had to go’ (very blunt, callous use of language here!) Sheila: ‘very pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself’. Sheila tells the manager that ‘if they didn’t get rid of that girl, I’d never go near the place again’. Gerald: ‘She was young and pretty and warm-hearted – and intensely grateful. I became at once the most important person in her life. ’

Eric: ‘I wasn’t in love with her or anything – but I liked her – she was pretty and a good sport’. (NB: Eva refuses Eric’s money when she realises it has been stolen). Mrs Birling: ‘As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money’. The Inspector’s sermon-like speech toward the end: ‘But just remember this. One Eva Smith has gone - but there are millions and millions of Eva Smiths and John Smiths. . ’

‘Everywoman’ figure – represents the ordinary working class woman Might be different girls as the characters do not see the picture at the same time. As Eric and Sheila realise though, this doesn’t matter – she symbolises all the people from the working class they’ve ever treated badly. A silent, offstage character - and, in a way, this feels particularly appropriate as she represents the silent, invisible and powerless members of society. Used to illuminate the other character’s true selves.

IT’S ALL ABOUT PRIESTLEY AND STEVENSON!