Mr Birling

Mr Birling

1. Position in 1912 economy

   • on top of his game
   • dominant male in patriarchal society
   • successful business owner
   • corperate fat cat
   • high up in society
     • "I was an alderman for years and Lord mayor for two years"
     • "There's a fair chance I might find my way into the next honours list"

2. personality

   • patronising
     • "nothing to do with you, Shiela. Run along"
     • "Just keep quiet, Eric, and don't get excited"
   • egotistical
     • "There's a fair chance I might find my way into the next honours list"
   • ignorant
     • "and it doesn't seem to me very important"
   • insensitive
     • "Rubbish! If you don't come down sharply on some of these people they'd soon be asking for the earth."

3. Relationships

   • Mrs Birling (wife)
     • Uses his power to her own benefit
     • nags/suggests to him
       • "Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things"
   • Eric (son)
     • personalities contrast
       • different political views, Eric - socialist Mr Birling conservative/traditionalist
     • patronising to his son
       • "Just keep quiet, Eric, and don't get excited"
     • distant relationship
       • doesn't acknowledge alcohol problem
   • Eva Smith (employee)
     • fired by Mr Birling
       • created turmoil in his factory
         • unfair pay to women workers
         • "They wanted the rates raised so they could average about twenty-five shillings a week, I refused of course".
     • mysteriously linked to her death