AQA English Literature GCSE - An Inspector Calls - An analysis of the character of Arthur Birling

This Handout looks in detail at the character of Arthur Birling from “An Inspector Calls”.

It is 4-pages long (1246 words) and is written by an Examiner with 30-years experience of teaching the play.

A summary of the Handout is provided below:

• Arthur Birling in J.B. Priestley’s “An Inspector Calls” exemplifies the capitalist ethos and social norms of early 20th century Britain, serving as a critique of socio-economic inequalities and moral blindness.
• Role and Authority: Arthur Birling is the head of the Birling family and a prosperous manufacturer in Brumley, whose dominance is evident through his authoritative tone and unchallenged opinions.
• Businessman Identity: Birling’s identity is deeply tied to his role as a businessman, emphasizing capitalism and individualism while dismissing social responsibility.
• Capitalist Symbol: Priestley uses Birling to symbolize capitalist ideology, critiquing social inequalities and moral shortcomings, highlighted by Birling’s naive predictions of peace and prosperity.
• Interactions with Characters: Birling’s interactions reveal his desire for control and reliance on social status, particularly evident in his attempts to intimidate Inspector Goole and his strained relationship with his son Eric.
• Lack of Development: Unlike other characters, Birling shows minimal development, remaining steadfast in his beliefs and quick to dismiss the evening’s events as an inconvenience.