Mr. Birling

Mr. Birling

1. He is extremely selfish- He wants to protect himself and his family "man has to make his own way". He cannot see anything he did as wrong when he fired Eva Smith- he was just looking after his business. He wants to protect his reputation above all when he gets worried that the press will view his story.

2. At the start, he is described as "heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties but rather provincial in his speech."

3. He has worked his way up in the world and is proud of his achievements. He boasts about having been mayor and tries to impress the Inspector with his local standing and his influential friends.

4. However, He is aware of people that are his social superiors, which is why he boasts about the port to Gerald " It's the same port your father gets." He is proud that he is likely to be knighted, as that would move him into a higher social position.

5. He claims that the party is one of the "happiest night of my life". This is not only because Shelia will be happy, but because a merger with Crofts limited will be good for business.

6. He is optimisti