Characterization: Mr. Birling

Arthur Birling (BBC 2015)
Arthur Birling is the head of the Birling family and also a wealthy owner of a factory with several hundred workers employed. He is a corpulent, heavy-looking man in his middle fifties. Mr. Birling is a typical member of the middle class, who have benefited from industrialization. This benefits are shown in form of Edna, the parlour-maid. Arthur Birling is a business man, who is really focused on his company and lets his decision always be determined by money. I think that is also the reason for the engagement between Gerald Croft and Sheila Birling. He is hoping for a merger with Crofts Limited, the company of Gerald's father. Arthur is also a really active person in the public life. For example is he a lay judge and he also hopes, that he gets a knighthood. But Birling is also an arrogant and morally blind character. When Inspector Goole confronted him with the suicide of Eva Smith, he showed no compassion for her. He also refused to see why he should pay her more. (Words: 174)

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