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- An Inspector Calls: the characters
An Inspector Calls: the characters
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Priestley uses each character to represent a point of view. The big split is between those who learn and those who refuse to.
The older generation
Mr Birling: a proud, self-made businessman who cares about profit and status. He confidently predicts there will be no war and that the Titanic is unsinkable. The audience knows he is wrong: dramatic irony.
Mrs Birling: cold and snobbish. She refuses to accept any blame.
Mrs Birling: cold and snobbish. She refuses to accept any blame.
The younger generation
Sheila: at first a spoilt young woman, she quickly accepts her guilt and challenges her parents.
Eric: drinks heavily and has behaved badly, but he is horrified by what the family has done and accepts responsibility.
Eric: drinks heavily and has behaved badly, but he is horrified by what the family has done and accepts responsibility.
Gerald and the Inspector
Gerald Croft: an upper-class businessman. He shows some real feeling for Daisy Renton, but at the end he sides with the older Birlings.
Inspector Goole: calm, commanding and moral. He speaks for Priestley's views about social responsibility. His name sounds like ghoul, a ghost.
Inspector Goole: calm, commanding and moral. He speaks for Priestley's views about social responsibility. His name sounds like ghoul, a ghost.
Why does Priestley give Mr Birling confident predictions that turn out to be wrong?
- The 1945 audience knew the Titanic sank in 1912 and that two world wars followed.
- This dramatic irony makes Birling look foolish.
- So the audience also doubts his selfish views about every man looking after himself.
Answer: Dramatic irony undermines Birling, so the audience rejects his capitalist views.
The older Birlings (and Gerald) refuse to change; Sheila and Eric accept responsibility. The Inspector voices Priestley's message, and dramatic irony makes Mr Birling look foolish.
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