Answer:
Mr. Birling is a character in the play "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestley. Here are some quotes and an analysis of his character:
1. "The Titanic?...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's arrogance and overconfidence. He thinks that nothing can go wrong and that he is always right. This is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the Titanic actually sinks, which highlights Mr. Birling's foolishness.
2. "I'm talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's focus on money and profit. He is more concerned with making money than with the welfare of his workers or society as a whole. This also shows his lack of empathy and understanding of others.
3. "We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests...are properly protected."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's classism and his belief that the upper class is superior to the lower class. He thinks that the wealthy should protect their own interests and that the working class should not have a say in how things are run.
4. "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's fear of socialism and his belief that the working class should not have too much power. He thinks that if the workers are given too much, they will become greedy and demand even more.
Overall, Mr. Birling is a character who represents the selfishness and greed of the upper class. He is more concerned with his own interests than with the welfare of others, and he is blind to the consequences of his actions. His arrogance and classism make him a character that the audience dislikes and that Priestley uses to criticize the capitalist system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. Birling is a character in the play "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestley. Here are some quotes and an analysis of his character:
1. "The Titanic?...unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's arrogance and overconfidence. He thinks that nothing can go wrong and that he is always right. This is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that the Titanic actually sinks, which highlights Mr. Birling's foolishness.
2. "I'm talking as a hard-headed, practical man of business."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's focus on money and profit. He is more concerned with making money than with the welfare of his workers or society as a whole. This also shows his lack of empathy and understanding of others.
3. "We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests...are properly protected."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's classism and his belief that the upper class is superior to the lower class. He thinks that the wealthy should protect their own interests and that the working class should not have a say in how things are run.
4. "If you don't come down sharply on some of these people, they'd soon be asking for the earth."
This quote shows Mr. Birling's fear of socialism and his belief that the working class should not have too much power. He thinks that if the workers are given too much, they will become greedy and demand even more.
Overall, Mr. Birling is a character who represents the selfishness and greed of the upper class. He is more concerned with his own interests than with the welfare of others, and he is blind to the consequences of his actions. His arrogance and classism make him a character that the audience dislikes and that Priestley uses to criticize the capitalist system.