Mr. Birling and Sheila assignment on how they treated Eva Smith.

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Mr. Birling and Sheila assignment on how they treated Eva Smith

The two characters that I have decided to do my course work on are Mr. Birling and Sheila.

Mr Birling

Mr. Birling is a prosperous factory owner. He is 'a self made man.' His first priority is to make money, he quotes, 'It's my duty to keep labour cost down.' Arthur Birling is somebody who is fond of giving other people what he thinks is good advice. He always believes he has the right answers to all sorts of questions, because he has been successful where others have failed. What we find out in the play is that most of his advice is the wrong kind of advice, although he still fails to realise it. Mr. Birling Regards himself as reasonable and pays the going rate to employees. He is unable to grasp a link between actions and consequences, or wider social/world issues. He has no concepts of value other than money and position. He is proud of his status and is a social climber. He sees him & wife as upholding 'right' values and as guardians of 'proper' conduct.

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Mr. Birling welcomes Gerald Croft into his family as he represents a business link between his firm and that of Gerald Croft's father (a rival).

He has an honest approach to life, he tells the Inspector that he wouldn't listen to Eva Smith's demand for a wage rise, 'I refused, of course' and is surprised why anyone should question why.

Mr. Birling strongly believes that 'a man has to make his own way.' He does not consider the harm he may cause to other people because of his attitude. He is a 'hard headed business man.' He is a ...

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The points made are all relevant and many are supported with appropriate examples from the play, including quotations. However, these points could be developed further especially how did Mr Birling and Sheila treat Eva and how responsible were they for her tragic death? A good source to help this development would be to make references to Priestley's detailed stage notes and directions which make many relevant points about Mr Birling and Sheila.