How does Priestley present ideas about Mrs. Birling in ‘An Inspector Calls’? Essay

Mrs. Birling shows a complete deprivation of self-awareness from the beginning of the play and in addition exposes her wishes to be detached from any matchless with a lower social status. Mrs. Birling says during the dinner (reproachfully) Arthur you are not supposed to say such things the way that she criticises her husband from what comes across as a antiquated pleasant remark from Mr Birling shows how she doesnt which to praise or associate her self with anyone below her in the social hierarchy.This reflects Priestleys point that the beneficiaries of Capitalism submit little respect or have even the slightest sense of empathy for those below them in society. The way she as well reproachfully condemns her husband is also very peculiar, it is intimately as if she is unaware by the tension created by her remark on what is a very important family occasion. This may also be a contract of subtext that Mrs. Birling also might be dissatisfied with the social gap between her and hu sband. This could perhaps be a subtler view of Priestleys about the lack of cohesiveness between classes in society.Relationship with SheilaDespite her lady friend being a grown woman who is in the process of marrying, Mrs Birling is of the view that Sheila is incompetent of speaking for herself. When Sheila (half serious, half playful) criticises Gerald for not coming near me last summer Mrs Birling doesnt pick up on the playful nature of her daughters remarks and instead tries to pacify the tension, which is ironic as it was created by herself in the first place, she decides to lecture her daughter and demean her importance and how she should spend to being stake rate for her future husband men with important work to dospend nearly all their time and energy on their business. Youll have to rag use to that, just as I had and Sheila replies I dont believe I will this also shows how Sheila clearly has a capacity to intensify which we experience later in the novel. This also repre sents Priestleys view that men who go after(prenominal) an endless pursuit of wealth not only has a negative effect on society as a whole that also those most closest to them.Welfare StateMrs Birling is utilize as a contrast of the future welfare offer in 1912 rich people would decide on their own prejudices on who deserves welfare and who doesnt. So Priestleys attack is also how the rich keep even the most basic human rights away from the poor. When describing hearing Eva Smiths case she says She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and sense of right and wrong that were simply absurd in a girl in her coiffe Mrs Birlings reference to a girl in here position highlights her class prejudice and how just because she was of a lower class wasnt considered to be genuine or believable. It might be a coincidence that she is called Sybil but there is a clear use of sibilance by Priestley feelingsscruplessimplyabsurd this highlights the sinister sound of Mrs Birling, designed to show he r evil intent.IronyPriestley also highlights the hypocrisy of Mrs Birling, when she is referring to Eva Smiths case. Mrs Birling describes the elaborate fine feelings and scruples which were simply absurd shows a strong sense of irony. Mrs Birling refers to Evas feeling of elaborate, and then she attempts to use the most advances vocabulary she can ridiculous airsscruplesabsurd to disguise her snobbery and prejudice. Her clear discrimination of the lower class is displayed when she tells the inspector As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money The demeaning labelling of her as a girl rather than a woman shows how superior she feels. She also feels morally superior suggesting that a lower class girl would ever refuse money trying to suggest that the poor are always after money, this once more is heavily ironic. As after all Eva Smith only wanted a couple more shillings a week while the master(prenominal) attraction of the marriage of Sheila and Gerald is the alliance between the 2 firms, allowing lower costs, higher prices showing Priestleys view that it is the rich that crave money not the poor. denounceAs the play progresses Mrs Birlings characteristics become more clear, despite it being quite clear to Sheila who the father of Evas daughter is Mrs Birling seems negligent to the reality of what is occurring. Rather than facing the reality Mrs Birling decides to attack, the father who is unknown at this stage I blame the young manhe didnt belong to her class and was some drunken young idler the way that Mrs Birling not only critices the young man for being drunk and release a young girl with an unborn baby but also because he didnt belong to her class this shows how Mrs Birlings marginalization of the on the job(p) class community is exactly the opposite of the sought of society Priestley would want to create.Even after it is plain to Sheila who the father is Mrs Birling blindness is so apparent as she continues to unknowingly castigate her own son certainly, he ought to be dealt with severely- and Sheila replies mother stop stop shows how Sheila is the opposite of her mother and is picking up events at a rapid rate. Sheila comment of dont you see is a metaphor, not only does it suggest Mrs Birling doesnt understand but also referencing to Mrs Birling blindness and lack of thoughts. Mrs Birlings further throwaway remark youre behaving like a hysterical child tonight again is another example of her completely misreading of the situation as in fact Sheila is quite intelligent in her evaluation that the father of the son must be Eric.ConclusionOverall, it is quite clear that Mrs Birling (much like her husband) is a perfect example of the ills capitalism and what needs to change. Priestley would like a society where the state provides welfare to those who need it, not by the prejudices of the rich. A society where money isnt what epitomizes success but people ability to care after one and other. As suggested by Inspector Gool e We are one body. We are responsible for one another shows how each specific character has a clear simple purpose. For Mrs Birling its to be symbolic of the greediness that capitalism involves.