Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-1-mr-birling-analysis [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls.md) › Mr Birling Analysis # Mr Birling Analysis English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls, topic 3.1.1 ## Role of Mr Birling Mr Birling is head of the household and family and displays a stereotypical upper-class pre-war attitude. ### Role in the family ![Role in the family](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/28081f54-87c9-4160-8f72-7c246a3f88f3/shutterstock_213645808.jpg) - He is the head of the household and family in a patriarchal (male ruled) society. - He is in charge of the finances (money). - He is the owner of a factory. - He encourages Sheila’s marriage to Gerald to secure his links to the upper-class Croft family. ### Role in the play ![Role in the play](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/81425f2d-ceff-42b7-ab43-6ff8052f126c/e2bee305-0d32-4759-877d-61bc02ebcc81.png) - He portrays a stereotypical upper-class pre-war attitude – people should only help themselves and not take responsibility for others. - His priorities are to make money and cement his high social status. - He is only concerned about himself – he wants the knighthood and the marriage to take place so he can improve his social status. - He believes that people have to make their own ways in life, and that everyone should look after themselves. ### Connection to Eva ![Connection to Eva](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/ea6e3124-da29-42bb-9809-72777a2d4694/0fe986e2-e134-49ef-bf12-a69f3580dc38.png) - Mr Birling fired Eva Smith because she led a group of workers in seeking a pay rise and going on strike. - He takes no responsibility for his actions. ## Mr Birling - Character Development Here's an overview of how Mr Birling's character evolves (or does not evolve!) over the play: ### Foolish ![Foolish](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/1c5cccf5-0daa-4974-a851-3a8b1a813158/bbd98cf4-33b6-4594-a339-599f27383397.png) - Priestley highlights Mr Birling as an ultimately foolish character, who likes to tell everyone how great their future will be. - Priestley uses dramatic irony (when the audience knows something the characters don’t) here to show the audience that Birling was naïve and idiotic. ### Obsessed with power ![Obsessed with power](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9fe7397f-451b-4cfa-905b-7d480012c8ec/shutterstock_245161015.jpg) - Mr Birling is shown as being in control and in charge right from the start of the play. - Mr Birling tries to intimidate Inspector Goole into leaving or changing his questioning. He doesn’t know how to cope with the fact that Goole isn’t impressed, or intimidated, by him. ### Obsessed with social status ![Obsessed with social status](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/daf01400-543c-4342-a5ab-563fca1b63b9/shutterstock_583543753.jpg) - When Inspector Goole challenges his power, Birling struggles with this and becomes angrier and angrier. - He is furious that a man of a lower social class treats Birling like everyone else – he doesn’t receive special treatment because of his higher social class, something he cannot accept. - Mr Birling is obsessed with his future knighthood, as he feels that this will increase his social status and make him look great among his upper-class peers. ### Unwilling to change or learn from actions ![Unwilling to change or learn from actions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/3b1cc00c-ff23-4a49-b4d4-3ab58f654e6d/5be90cdf-4d12-4545-ac36-21684dc3c648.png) - When the family discover that Inspector Goole does not work for the local police force, Birling is very happy to forget the whole thing and to forget any possible consequences of his actions. - Mr Birling does not learn from the story of Eva Smith – instead, he only cares about it when he fears that the story might be made public, which could damage his reputation. - He cares about himself, not about how his actions affect others. - By the end of the play, Mr Birling has not changed at all – _is this why they get a second visit from a real police inspector? Does Inspector Goole act as a warning, which they do not take?_ ### Bad father ![Bad father](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/f7239f74-e23f-41a0-825d-6cc0c5270143/31cf613e-f87f-4fc4-8de2-01ddbeb7baff.png) - We also learn that Mr Birling has alienated (isolated) his son – when he tells Eric he should have come to him for help, Eric replies that Birling isn’t the type of father a son could ask for help. - Even within their family, their relationships are fragile (could break easily) and fake – Birling seems to be the caring father so he looks good, but is actually not. ## Significance of Mr Birling Priestley uses Mr Birling to show the negative aspects of wealth and capitalism. Mr Birling represents the older, upper-class generation that caused many deaths in war. Priestley also uses Mr Birling's character to explore ideas such as the oppression of women and the consequences of our actions. ### Dangers of capitalism ![Dangers of capitalism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/b8daef55-a200-4cab-97fa-40f705ba0d12/4c5c9c24-fbcc-4c07-9602-ad63411299ae.png) - Mr Birling represents higher class, wealthy businessmen who only care about making money. - Priestley created him as a villainous character to highlight the dangers of selfish capitalism. ### Actions have consequences ![Actions have consequences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b5c9ebe7-7ab2-418b-b216-1c4e060388e0/shutterstock_478061149.jpg) - Priestley uses Mr Birling to present the initial idea that every action has a consequence – something as seemingly simple as firing someone can have a huge impact on their life. - Priestley makes the audience dislike Mr Birling because he will not accept that he did anything wrong. ### Exclusion of women ![Exclusion of women](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/eac37f2f-fc23-469d-9927-7c7b19498201/shutterstock_552131713.jpg) - Birling also talks about business with the men and tries to avoid speaking about business or real life in front of the women. - This is characteristic of pre-war society, which tried to shield and protect women because they were viewed as less intelligent than men, more emotionally unstable, and more fragile. ### Older, upper-class generation ![Older, upper-class generation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-11/89ce4375-5587-47b6-b008-34efe4d51373/b444f6b3-d3f8-445a-ad94-0d62bc7ec2ec.png) - Mr Birling represents the older, upper-class generation, who would go on to cause numerous deaths in World War One and Two. - They did not care about the welfare of the lower-class, even though the lower-class men were the ones fighting the war for them. ## Test yourself on Mr Birling Analysis - What's Mr Birling's connection to Eva? - Why does Mr Birling fire Eva? - Select the correct statement for each pair about Mr Birling's priorities and beliefs. - What technique does Priestley use to show that Mr Birling is foolish? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/1bcb11c0-2c27-11e8-b18d-d1082cf88b6d/section/12015680-2c55-11e8-b18d-d1082cf88b6d/session) - Previous topic: [2.1.15 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-15-diagnostic-misconceptions-eva-smith.md) - Next topic: [3.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-2-mr-birling-quotes.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE An Inspector Calls contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Act 1 - [1.1.1 Act 1 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-1-act-1-summary.md) - [1.1.2 Act 1 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-1-2-act-1-key-quotes.md) - 1.2 Act 2 - [1.2.1 Act 2 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-1-act-2-summary.md) - [1.2.2 Act 2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-2-2-act-2-key-quotes.md) - 1.3 Act 3 - [1.3.1 Act 3 Summary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-1-act-3-summary.md) - [1.3.2 Act 3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-2-act-3-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.3 Act 3 More Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-3-act-3-more-key-quotes.md) - [1.3.4 End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/1-3-4-end-of-topic-test-acts-1-2-and-3.md) ### 2 Context & Key Themes - 2.1 Context & Key Themes - [2.1.1 Social Class & Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-1-social-class-and-equality.md) - [2.1.2 Class Tension](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-2-class-tension.md) - [2.1.3 Abuse of Power & Corruption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-3-abuse-of-power-and-corruption.md) - [2.1.4 Socialism vs Capitalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-4-socialism-vs-capitalism.md) - [2.1.5 Blame & Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-5-blame-and-responsibility.md) - [2.1.6 Attitudes to Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-6-attitudes-to-women.md) - [2.1.7 Characterisation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-7-characterisation-of-women.md) - [2.1.8 Dramatic Function of Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-8-dramatic-function-of-characters.md) - [2.1.9 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-9-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-context-and-key-themes-2.md) - [2.1.11 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-11-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [2.1.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Socialism vs Communism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-socialism-vs-communism.md) - [2.1.13 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Edna](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-13-diagnostic-misconceptions-edna.md) - [2.1.14 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Women in the Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-14-diagnostic-misconceptions-women-in-the-play.md) - [2.1.15 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Eva Smith](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/2-1-15-diagnostic-misconceptions-eva-smith.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Mr Birling - [3.1.1 Mr Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-1-mr-birling-analysis.md) - [3.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-2-mr-birling-quotes.md) - [3.1.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Arrogance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-arrogance.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Illegality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-illegality.md) - 3.2 Mrs Birling - [3.2.1 Mrs Birling Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-1-mrs-birling-analysis.md) - [3.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes.md) - [3.2.3 Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-2-3-exam-style-questions-mrs-birling.md) - 3.3 Sheila - [3.3.1 Sheila Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-1-sheila-analysis.md) - [3.3.2 Sheila Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-2-sheila-quotes.md) - [3.3.3 End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-3-3-end-of-topic-test-the-birlings-and-sheila.md) - 3.4 Eric - [3.4.1 Eric Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-1-eric-analysis.md) - [3.4.2 Eric Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-4-2-eric-quotes.md) - 3.5 Gerald - [3.5.1 Gerald Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-1-gerald-analysis.md) - [3.5.2 Gerald Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-2-gerald-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Gerald's Morals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-5-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-geralds-morals.md) - 3.6 Inspector Goole - [3.6.1 Inspector Goole Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-1-inspector-goole-analysis.md) - [3.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes.md) - [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-eric-gerald-and-inspector-goole.md) - [3.6.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-6-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost.md) - 3.7 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.7.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/3-7-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Authorial Method - 4.1 Arrangement & Structure of the Play - [4.1.1 Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-1-setting-lighting-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [4.1.2 Structure & Chronology](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-2-structure-and-chronology.md) - [4.1.3 Structure & Chronology 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-3-structure-and-chronology-2.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) - [4.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Flashbacks](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/4-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-flashbacks.md) ### 5 Recap: Main Quotes - 5.1 Mr Birling Quotes - [5.1.1 Mr Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-1-mr-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.1.2 Mr Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-2-mr-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.1.3 Mr Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-1-3-mr-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.2 Mrs Birling Quotes - [5.2.1 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-1-mrs-birling-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.2.2 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-2-mrs-birling-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.2.3 Mrs Birling Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-2-3-mrs-birling-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.3 Sheila Quotes - [5.3.1 Sheila Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-1-sheila-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.3.2 Sheila Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-2-sheila-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.3.3 Sheila Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-3-3-sheila-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.4 Eric Quotes - [5.4.1 Eric Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-1-eric-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.4.2 Eric Quotes Act 1 (2nd Quote)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-2-eric-quotes-act-1-2nd-quote.md) - [5.4.3 Eric Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-4-3-eric-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.5 Gerald Quotes - [5.5.1 Gerald Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-1-gerald-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.5.2 Gerald Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-2-gerald-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.5.3 Gerald Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-5-3-gerald-quotes-act-3.md) - 5.6 Inspector Goole Quotes - [5.6.1 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-1-inspector-goole-quotes-act-1.md) - [5.6.2 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-2-inspector-goole-quotes-act-2.md) - [5.6.3 Inspector Goole Quotes Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/an-inspector-calls/5-6-3-inspector-goole-quotes-act-3.md)