At the very beginning of the play, Mr Birling is shown to be obsessed with his social status by Priestly, due to him stating that ‘You Ought to like this port Gerald, Finchley told me it’s exactly the same port your father gets from him’. This suggests that he knows that Gerald’s father is of a higher social status than him hence why he is showing off to Gerald about the port. In addition to this it shows that Mr Birling is aware of those with a higher social status that him. Another example of him being is obsessed with social status is when Mr Birling notably continuously mentions the chief constable - Colonel Roberts’ name, an example is when talking to inspector Goole he goes onto say ‘How do you get on with our chief constable, colonel Roberts’. This brings the idea that he wants to remind the inspector of his social status, his many connections that he has with people an example of this is when Mr Birling states ‘I know the Brumley police officers very well’.
Mr Birling is shown to be Optimistic by Priestly as he is confident of Crofts limited, Birling and co both working together evidence of this is when Mr Birling states ‘Perhaps we may look forward to a time when crofts and birling’s are no longer competing but working together’. Another example of him being shown to be optimistic is him thinking there will be no war at all evidence of this is when Mr Birling states that ‘The Germans don’t want war’ and ’In a year or two well have aeroplanes that will be able to go anywhere’. This demonstrates dramatic irony as in 2 years’ time the first world war would have started along the planes going anywhere but bring mass destruction with them. In addition to that Mr birling also said that the titanic was ‘absolutely unsinkable’. Finally, all of Mr Birling’s uses of dramatic irony encourage the audience perceive Mr Birling as a foolish person and that his views cannot be trusted.
Finally, Mr birling is shown to be proud of his achievements by Priestly as he is tries to boast about being mayor trying to impress the inspector but it had failed. Another example of Mr Birling being proud of his achievements is when he cuts off Eric saying ’just let me finish Eric’ and Mrs Birling at the end of his speech exclaims out loud ’Arthur!’ prompting Mr birling to apologise by saying ‘Yes, my dear I know - I am talking too much’. This shows that he likes to air his views and is ware that he tends to have a greater share of conversations, which infers that he has a high opinion of his importance.
Overall, the character of Mr birling is presented by Priestly in act 1 as a very pompous man who is obsessed with social status, optimistic and proud of his achievements. His character is full of negativity and is a quite a contrast to others such as Sheila, Eric and Inspector Goole.
