From the very first stage directions we see, at the start of the play we found out that Priestly described Arthur Birling as a, “heavy-looking, rather portentous man”. From these stage directions it reveals that Mr Birling is quite large in size which may help to give him a threatening appearance. However, this appearance does not seem to intimidate the inspector, because during some parts of act one the inspector has the higher status and controls the scene; this shows that his appearance is quite ironic.
We all know that Arthur Birling is the father to Sheila and he in act one he is hosting an engagement party for his daughter and her fiance, Gerald Croft. Gerald makes a few speeches throughout act one, during one of them he says, “Gerald...your engagement with Sheila means a tremendous lot to me...Crofts and Birling are no longer competing but are working together - for lower costs and higher prices.” This suggests that maybe Mr Birling cares more about his business than he does about his daughters future. Priestly is therefore presenting his character as rather pompous and very self centered, something you wouldn’t normally expect to find in a father figure, possibly indicating the time in which this play is set; work was possibly more important than mans children especially as he has worked from lower class to the upper class he is in now.
After reading act one, we know that Mr Birling announces many speeches, much to the rest of the families dismay! During one of his speeches he says, “Yes, my dear, I know - I’m talking too much”. This implies he defiantly likes to air his views and is aware that he tends to monopolies the conversation, suggesting he has a high opinion of his own importance.
Mr Birling has been involved with the public, we know that he was the Lord Mayor, a magistrate and has been a member of the town council and is very friendly with the important people of the town, including the head police officer. He said in act one that, “[he is] a public man”. This is said to the Inspector, implying that he expects respect from the public affairs he has been involved with. However, we know also that Arthur Birling is very self obsessed which suggests he was only such an important man in the community for his own social advancement, yet again highlighting his incredible selfishness.
The character of Mr Birling is presented by Priestley as a very pompous, self obsessed and rather boastful in act one. I think that the character is full of negativity and is quite a contrast to other characters in the play such as, Sheila and Inspector Goole. I believe that Priestly is trying to highlight the theme of responsibility, as Arthur Birling refuses to take any for Eva Smith, and how great his social conscience is, resulting in an unpleasant personality to the audience through this character.
