J.B. Priestley builds up tension by dropping hints about certain things; George Croft has old money because he was born into a wealthy family so he did not have to work for his wealth. Whereas Birling has new money because he had to work for his wealth in which he earned by taking advantage of people like Eva Smith. This may cause tension because the Croft family looks down upon the Birlings by not attending the engagement celebration of their own son Gerald.
J.B. Priestley’s play on the moral issues of the 1940’s can relate to any era. Priestley is able to use hindsight to make comments on events with dramatic irony. Birling makes his ironic speeches about the good times ahead, the “unsinkable Titanic” and “prosperity that will make war impossible”, to characters that are unaware of future events and the lessons they will be forced to learn in “fire, blood, and anguish”. For the audience the Inspector’s view of the world is an alternative to that presented by Birling.
The pompous Mr. Birling dominates this gathering that is soon to be interrupted by a man who will unearth events that reveal some of the worst aspects of the family’s characters. Sheila is engaged to Gerald and Mr. Birling is expecting a knighthood to raise his status in society. In act one there are many points of dramatic irony in Birling’s speeches, but nothing to warn us of the shocking arrival of the Inspector. Events soon gather speed and the tension rises as we learn of family involvement with Eva Smith, and the scandal of Gerald’s affair.
Mr. Birling is a main character at the beginning of the play and has his moments where he interrupts proceedings throughout. Birling is in the pipeline for a knighthood and has been mayor and a magistrate in the past. As a result he has a high opinion of his own ideas and beliefs. At the beginning of the play, Birling is in control of his situation as the head of the family. But as soon as the Inspector arrives then his leadership is compromised and that is not something that Birling likes. In some places Birling tries to take back his authority by trying to lead the Inspector into agreeing with him, “it would be wouldn’t it?, we would all, wouldn’t we?”.
Mr. Birling’s speeches at the beginning of the play in act one are very bombastic and are filled with dramatic irony, “The Titanic, unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable”, “Silly little war scares”. He is unrealistically and over optimistic about the future and prosperity of the world, “There’ll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere”.
Priestley emphasises how out of touch Birling is by adding, “Russia will always be behind naturally”. Birling really knows nothing of world politics and the irony is that the Titanic sinks and very soon Russia will show it’s true political strength in 1914 when Britain is plunged into World War One. The audience know that Birling is incorrect about the events especially the Titanic, because everyone thought that it was indestructible. What Priestly is conveying is that like the Titanic Birling is steering into for possible destruction.
Yet, Mr. Birling believes himself to be “a hard-headed, practical man of business”. As a businessman Mr. Birling is naive to be confident of the future, but in his defence, there was a lot going on in the world that may create an impression of prosperity. What Priestley is trying to illustrate in these powerfully ironic speeches is his hatred for the businessman who is only interested in himself and making money. He doesn’t like the idea of everyone helping each other “Community and all that nonsense”. Birling’s feelings are summed up in the last sentence of his speech before the Inspector arrives, “A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own”.
