In this article we will look at some of the key quotes for Mr Birling in the play, ‘An Inspector Calls’ along with explanation and analysis of these quotes.
These quotes can be used in exam answers. Some of the larger quotes do not necessarily have to be quoted in full but just the relevant words or sentence which connects to the point being made.
1. Quotes: ‘Arthur Birling is a heavy looking, rather portentous man’
Analysis: These are the words that Priestley uses to describe Mr Birling. Portentous has a number of different meanings but one of these is someone who is overly serious or slightly pompous in the way they speak. This of course applies very much so to Mr Birling whom we could well suspect of having an inferiority complex due to his modest backgrounds and is thus engaged in a constant struggle to compensate for this by striving to be important or as an equal to those in the town richer than him or of originally a higher social lineage than him.
2. Quotes: ‘Now you have brought us together, and perhaps we may look forward to a time when Crofts and Birlings are no longer competing but are working together – for lower costs and higher prices. ’
Analysis: This quote is interesting because it shows the rather business-minded approach to life that Mr Birling has and at a time like this, celebrating an engagement, when the tone should be a more emotional sentimental one. Mr Birling devoid of such sentimentality instead uses words like ‘costs’ and ‘prices’, which are more appropriate for a board meeting rather than a celebratory family get together. This ties in with his general way of looking at things through the prism of money and numbers including his indifference to the human suffering of his workers and instead focusing on the profits they can generate him.
Click on the Link to Read About: Mr Birling Character Analysis
3. Quotes: There's a good deal of silly talk about these days – but – and I speak as a hard-headed business man, who has to take risks and know what he's about – I say, you can ignore all this silly pessimistic talk. When you marry, you'll be marrying at a very good time. Yes, a very good time – and soon it'll be an even better time. Last month, just because the miners came out on strike, there's a lot of wild talk about possible labour trouble in the near future. Don't worry. We've passed the worst of it. We employers at last are coming together to see that our interests – and the interests of capital – are properly protected. And we're in for a time of steadily increasing prosperity
Analysis: Here Birling engages in self-praise commenting on his expertise as a business man, but yet again he brings in financial and business issues in to a family event. He also includes himself as being from amongst ‘We employers’ . This quote is rather large and can be divided in two different quotes but there is dramatic irony here because Birling talks about a period of prosperity to come when in fact Britain will be caught up in a bloody and horrific war which kills around 17 million people two years after the play is set. This immensely erroneous prediction on the part of Mr Birling shows foolish he can be.
4. Quotes: ‘Fiddlesticks! The Germans don’t want war. Nobody wants war... And why? There's too much at stake these days. Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war.
Analysis: This is another of the quotes that can be used to show the grave errors and foolishness of Birling in terms of his predictions. He also places his belief on war being impossible due to the economic development being made and dismisses the power of the Kaiser and German military officers. In this he is wrong, two years after the play is set it is precisely the same Kaiser and German generals who decide to go to war.
5. Quotes: And I’m taking as a hard headed, practical man of business. And I say there isn't a chance of war.
Analysis: Akin to the previous quote above but also once again Birling refers to him as a ‘hard headed’ business man, citing that to state he has credibility in his predictions. Needless to say as we mentioned above he is totally wrong and a massive war does indeed break out. If he gets this wrong what else does he get wrong in general?
6. Quotes: The titanic- she sails next week’-‘Unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable’
Analysis: Dramatic irony and as like the quotes above he is wrong. The Titanic does sink, the Germans do go to war, Mr Birling cannot be seen to be some source of wisdom and guidance. Priestly is thus indirectly saying just because someone has made lots of money he is not necessarily that intelligent or inherently deserving of being followed in terms of his opinions. This undermining of wealthy capitalists is very important in this play.
7. Quotes: In twenty or thirty year's time – let's say, in 1940 – you may be giving a little party like this – your son or daughter might be getting engaged – and I tell you, by that time you'll be living in a world that'll have forgotten all these capital versus labour agitations and all these silly little war scares
Analysis: Dramatic irony again. The play was first shown in 1945 a year when rather than ‘silly little war scares’ the second world war ended and people were recovering from the carnage and catastrophe of this giant conflict. Rather than the very smug predictions happiness that Mr Birling makes, the reality is far different.
8. Quotes: 'There'll be peace and prosperity and rapid progress everywhere '
Analysis: In 1945 far from peace and prosperity everywhere, there were dead men, widowed ladies, fatherless children, hunger and suffering amidst destroyed buildings and towns, Europe at that time was the very antithesis of ‘peace and prosperity’, arguably the most ironic quote in this whole section of the play. An irony which would have resonated strongly with any audience who had emerged from the war and who may have lost many loved ones and experienced hunger and fear themselves.
9. Quotes: 'But you youngsters just remember what I Said. We can't let these Bernard Shaws and H.G.Wellses do all the talking. We hardheaded practical business men must say something sometime. And we don't guess – we've had experience - and we know.'
Analysis: Birling is trying to say that leadership of society should belong to capitalists and not to writers and thinkers. Bernard Shaw was a famous playwright and leftist. H. G. Wells was a writer with socialist views who was even read by the prime minister during the second world war, Winston Churchill. We can assume that by previously showing Birling’s foolishness with his wildly wrong predictions and then his attempt to dissuade people from listening to leftist writers such as as Shaw and Wells, Priestley is in fact trying to tell us we should ignore Birling and indeed listen to them. Birling is the man who said the Titanic would not sink and there would be no war so we should ignore what he said and rather follow the opposite. Society should listen to writers and socialists not ‘hard headed’ (Birling’s words) businessmen.
10. Quotes: I have an idea that your mother – lady croft – while she doesn't object to my girl – feels you might have done better for yourself socially -
Analysis: Birling says this to Gerald. We don’t know from the play exactly what causes Birling to have this idea or how based on solid evidence it is, but what is clear Birling does view rightly or wrongly that lady Croft looks down on him. This is because Birling himself is from a modest background originally
11. Quotes: No, Gerald, that's all right. Don't blame her. She comes from an old country family – landed people and so forth – and so it's only natural. But what I wanted to say is – there's a fair chance that I might find my way into the next honours list. Just a knighthood, of course.
Analysis: Gerald seems to feel uncomfortable by Birling alleging his mother looks down on the Birlings and their social status but Birling seems to try and comfort him by pointing to her position in the social hiearchy which is higher than Birlings and she comes from a traditionally rich landowning family as opposed to the newly rich self made businessman Mr Birling. However Birling seems to imply that this gap in social status can be lessened or even removed due to him possibly receiving a knighthood. As mentioned before Birling seems to have an inferiority complex and a continuous need to prove himself equal to those richer than him and from more elite families.
12. Quotes: You see, I was lord mayor here two years ago when royalty visited us. And I’ve always been regarded as a sound useful party man. So – well – I gather there's a very good chance of a knighthood – so long as we behave ourselfs, don't get into the police court or start a scandal – eh?
Analysis: This is very ironic. From the high of royalty themselves visiting Mr Birling we see later on in the play he faces the prospect of having his name dragged in to the mud with the ‘scandal’ of Eva Smith’s death and all the related behaviour around that including Gerald and Eric’s affairs with her. He mentions police and shortly later gets visited by someone from the police in the form of inspector Goole.
13. Quotes: Yes, you don't know what some of these boys get up to nowadays. More money to spend and time to spare than I had when I was Eric’s age. They worked us hard in those days and kept us short of cash. Thought even then – we broke out and had a bit of fun sometimes.
Analysis: The phrase ‘ you don’t know what some of these boys get up to nowadays’ is very ironic as Birling does indeed not know what his boys i.e. his son and future son-in-law are up to including having sexual relations with a former employee of his.
Birling refers to his youth when he had to work hard. Unlike the Crofts who were born in to wealth, Birling had to struggle and work hard for his wealth. In contrast there may be an implication that Eric has been raised spoilt with lots of cash around in contrast to Birling’s younger days.
14. Quotes: But the way some of these cranks talk and write now, you'd think everybody has to look after everybody else, as if we were all mixed up together like bees in a hive – community and all that nonsense. But take my word for it, you youngsters – and I’ve learnt in the good hard school of experience – that a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own – and -
Analysis: By ‘cranks’ it should be obvious that Birling is referring to writers with left wing views such as George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells whom he mentioned by name earlier. However with Birling’s credibility completely discreted with his ‘Titanic’ and no war will happen comments Priestley might be telling the audience to hold the completely opposite opinion and in fact respect these writers. These writers are promoting the view that society is one entity whereas Birling is preaching individualism and that everyone should look after themselves or their families. However as we find out later on in the play no man is immune from what happens in wider society, Birling himself is impacted by Eva’s poverty through her affair with Eric who steals money from his father and Eva having Birling’s grandchild in her womb during pregnancy.
15. Quotes: Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then we'll join the ladies. That'll stop me giving you good advice.
Analysis: Birling’s advice is far from ‘good’ and the predictions he has made are totally wrong made worse by his overly confident belief in how correct they are. We are in no need of Birling’s ‘advice’, however possibly by extension that could also apply to businessmen, wealthy capitalists in general.
16. Quotes: I thought you must be. I was an alderman for years – and lord mayor two years ago – and I’m still on the bench – so I know the brumley police offices pretty well – and I thought I’d never seen you before.
Analysis: Birling in a very short space of time makes reference to three different positions he’s had:
- Alderman
- Lord mayor
- Being on the bench
This seems to be him showing his importance. Is this because he really does believe he is that important? Or is it because deep inside he is constantly trying to fill a hole, a hole of feeling inferior, not as good, as those born rich such as the Crofts? Or is it a mixture of both of those two things.
17. Quotes: I don't mind your being here, Gerald. And I’m sure you've no objection, have you, inspector? Perhaps I ought to explain first that this is Mr Gerald croft – the son of sir George croft – you know, crofts limited..
Analysis: Once again Birling refers to rank and status and that Gerald is the son of prominent rich parents. This is clear when he mentions ‘crofts limited’ mentioning their business by name. Birling and his attempts to mention status and position are continuous.
18. Quotes: Yes. Incidentally we've been modestly celebrating his engagement to my daughter, Sheila.
Analysis: Birling goes out of his way to just ‘incidentally’ mention that this son of a rich family is marrying his daughter. Birling is thus progressing in the world socially and his constant need for validation by the approval of others seems to be working as we see with the son of a rich landowning family marrying the daughter of a man (Birling) of modest origins.
19. Quotes: Still, I can't accept any responsibility. If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody we'd had anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn't it?
Analysis: This is precisely the point that Priestley is trying to make. That we have to be conscious of our actions and the impact it has on others. Businessmen need to understand that their workers are not merely useful profit-generating machines but human beings who experience pain and suffering. Priestley is urging a more socialist outlook to society where we all see each other as part of one greater whole and try to help each other.
20. Quotes: 'Well it's my duty to keep labour costs down. And if I’d agreed to this demand for a new rate we'd have added about twelve per cent to our labour costs. Does that satisfy you? So I refused. Said I couldn't consider it. We were paying the usual rates and if they didn't like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It's a free country, I told them.'
Analysis: Rather than talk in general terms Birling gets detailed and more precise and likes to use actual numbers, perhaps not appropriate that evening on two counts. First he is there to celebrate his daughter’s engagement and secondly he is responding to the inspector about a young woman’s death. Through Birling, Priestley is showing the money-obsessed nature of capitalism which sees things through numbers and fingers and not the emotional aspect of human existence.
It’s Birling’s ‘duty’ to keep labour costs low but not to ensure happy lives for his workers who are there merely to make money for him and disposable when not required almost like objects. This is Priestley critiquing employer-worker relations under capitalism.
21. Quotes: Perhaps I ought to warn you that he's an old friend of mine, and that I see him fairly frequently. We play golf together sometimes up at the west brumley.
Analysis: Birling refers to his friendship with the chief constable, this is now in addition to him mentioning
- He was an alderman
- He was lord mayor
- Is on the bench
- Future son in law is from a wealthy landowning family.
Constant mentions to his high position in society are repeated. However it can be argued that there is an element of intimidation, that Birling is implicitly warning the inspector to be careful as he is friends with one of his superiors.
22. Quotes: Unless you brighten your ideas, you'll never be in a position to let anybody stay or to tell anybody to go. It's about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities. That's something this public-school-and-varsity life you've had doesn't seem to teach you.
Analysis: These words of Birling are addressed to his son and he is dismissive of public school education. This is in addition to his dislike of famous writers with left wing views. Rather than education and literature what Birling seems to value is ‘hard headed’ practical business experience. How much importance can we give to such business experience when it results in Birling saying there will be no first world war, the Titanic will not sink and 1940 will see peace and prosperity everywhere.
On a deeper note it is also important to note that rather than having Birling’s disregard for education, Priestley would want us to value it. It is a major cause of social mobility enabling people from poorer families to progress in society through acquiring good jobs.
23. Quotes: Just a minute, Sheila. Now , inspector, perhaps you and I had better go and talk this over quietly in a corner--
Analysis: Birling wants to speak to the inspector whom he has just threatened with reporting ‘quietly’. This means he obviously believes he can sort this out privately with the inspector, whether this is through subtle intimidation is not totally clear but is quite possible.
24. Quotes: Yes, and I’m trying to settle it sensibly for you
Analysis: This is said to Sheila a moment after she reacted to the words above. The word ‘settle’ implies rather than going through a proper procedure of police investigating Birling intends to bypass that process and get the inspector to cancel this work which could in effect even mean violating professional conduct. Birling might well try to get the inspector to drop the investigation by threatening to report him to his superiors whom Birling is connected to. This is quite possible given the threats we see him making a little earlier.
25. Quotes: We were having a nice family celebration tonight. And a nasty mess you've made of it now, haven't you?
Analysis: Not only was the family dinner going well but Mr Birling’s life and that of his family appeared to be going well. He places blame for this ‘nasty mess’ on the inspector. However is it really the inspector’s fault or more the consequences of the Birling’s behaviour fundamentally? Are they the ones who have really caused this ‘nasty mess’?
The inspector is merely asking questions about something that has happened which he had no part in.
In fact a moment later we see the inspector saying ‘That’s more or less what I was thinking earlier tonight when I was in the infirmary looking at what was left of Eva Smith. A nice little promising life there, I thought, and a nasty mess somebody’s made of it.’
The ones who have made the nasty mess are the Birlings not the inspector.
26. Quotes: I've told you before, I don't like the tone nor the way you're handling this inquiry. And I don't propose to give you much rope.
Analysis: Birling is not happy with the inspector. Rather than having an attitude of fear and respect for an important person, the status-obsessed Birling believes he is superior to the inspector and rather than a deferential tone has an angry one.
He also says he will not give ‘rope’ meaning any statements that might incriminate him or harm him. Birling is not being helpful and co-operative with the inspector. His concern is not to aid justice but to save himself.
27. Quotes: Look here, I'm not going to have this, Inspector. You'll apologize at once.
Analysis: Birling’s angry reaction when the inspector tells Mrs Birling she is not telling the truth. This shows again that Mr Birling does not feel scared of the inspector and eager to avoid trouble by dutifully complying with his investigation, rather he is hostile to him and demanding things from him.
28. Quotes: You must give me a list of those accounts. I've got to cover this up as soon as I can.
Analysis: This was to Eric when Birling’s son admits he stole money. Birling’s focus is on covering this up. He is concerned with his image.
29. Quotes: Don't talk to me like that. Your trouble is – you've been spoilt--
Analysis: This ties in with quote no. 22 where Birling criticises Eric’s education. However if Eric has been spoilt, he has only been spoilt by Birling lavishing money on him and so ironically ultimately Birling is condemning himself and his failed parental skills. If Birling cannot raise a child properly how can he tell society how to function?
30. Quotes: You're the one I blame for this.
Analysis: Birling says this to Eric. What is important is that what is not of importance to him is his wife not helping Eva when she came to her charity or Sheila making her jobless. Birling is not bothered by that but he blames the one blood family member who actually did help Eva by giving her money. Birling’s selfishness and indifference to Eva’s suffering is in full ugly view at this point with this quote.
31. Quotes: Yes, and you don't realize yet all you've done. Most of this is bound to come out. There'll be a public scandal.
Analysis: He continues a moment after the previous quote (number 30) and is clearly concerned not about Eva but about himself, about the possible damage to his reputation. Rather than lamenting about the sad fate of Eva he is thinking of himself.
Once again Priestley is showing us sort of effects that capitalism can have on greed and human indifference to other people’s tragedies.
32. Quotes: You! You don't seem to care about anything. But I care. I was almost certain for a knighthood in the next Honours List-
Analysis:
Birling does care.
Not about Eva.
Not about Eva’s family having lost their daughter or sister.
Not about his future grandchild dying.
He cares about his knighthood.
Titles and status are more important to him than other human beings.
33. Quotes: Nothing much has happened! Haven't I already said there'll be a public scandal – unless we're lucky – and who here will suffer from that more than I will?
Analysis: Another quote showing Birling’s focus is not on a young woman and pregnant dying but his name and reputation. He is concerned with his suffering and believes he is the main victim not Eva and not Eric who has also lost a child through the death of the pregnant Eva.
34. Quotes: Then look at the way he talked to me. Telling me to shut up – and so on. He must have known I was an ex-Lord mayor and a magistrate and so forth. Besides – the way he talked – you remember. I mean, they don't talk like that. I've had dealings with dozens of them.
Analysis: Birling is angry because he wanted the inspector to respect him or even be fearful of him due to Birling’s prominent status in the community for which he has worked hard to attain. Despite that the inspector has no interest in that, this would naturally surprise the very status-obsessed Birling who is clearly used to speaking to less assertive police officers.
35. Quotes: That's comic, that is, coming from you. You're the one it makes most difference to. You've confessed to theft, and now he knows all about it, and he can bring it out at the inquest, and then if necessary carry it to court. He can't do anything to your mother and Sheila and me – except perhaps make us look a bit ashamed of ourselves in public – but as for you, he can ruin you. You know.
Analysis: Birling says this to Eric and he seems to be contradicting himself. Whereas before (see quote 33) he says he will suffer than everybody else, he now states that that would in fact be Eric. Is Birling in a completely stable state of mind or has this whole experience shaken him that he is slightly incoherent and not consistent?
36. Quotes: That fellow obviously didn't like us. He was prejudiced from the start. Probably a socialist or some sort of crank – he talked like one.
Analysis: Birling refers to the inspector as a ‘crank’. This goes in with his earlier criticism of socialists and famous writers with socialist views urging a more socially responsible and compassionate attitude to society. However the audience would realise the inspector has done no wrong and played no part in Eva’s sad demise and merely exposed the reprehensible behaviour of the Birlings and ended with a message urging compassion to all members of society.
