Look again at the engagement party at the beginning of the party, up to the point where the Inspector first enters. In what ways does Priestley present Mr. Birling to us here so that we are prepared for his attitudes and behaviour in the rest of the play?

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Look again at the engagement party at the beginning of the party, up to the point where the Inspector first enters. In what ways does Priestley present Mr. Birling to us here so that we are prepared for his attitudes and behaviour in the rest of the play? (Refer in detail to language and events) At the very start of the play, it has already showed that Authur Birling is in charge of everything, even the port they are drinking. “Now then, Sybil, you must take a little tonight.”  He is the head of the family.  He is a successful businessman.
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He is always looking forward that the two companies (belong to him and Gerald’s dad) will merge sometime in the future.  “and perhaps we may look forward to the time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices.” He is confident that his success as he mentions that “and I speak as a hard-headed business man, who has to take risks and know what he’s about” He is also confident that strikes and labour troubles will not be a problem.  He says conflicts between workers and their bosses will ...

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