Top Grade Analysis of Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls Mr Salles

Summary

This video provides a detailed analysis of Arthur Burling's character in J.B. Priestley's play *An Inspector Calls*. It explores how Burling represents the corrupt and unfeeling capitalist system, highlighting Priestley's critique of capitalism and his advocacy for a more socialist society. The video also delves into symbolic elements such as Burling's name, his dismissive attitude toward the working class, and his role in exploiting women as commodities. Additionally, it connects Burling's character to the sinking of the Titanic, symbolizing the eventual downfall of the capitalist class. Overall, the video offers insights on how Burling serves as a symbol for Priestley's political message, emphasizing social responsibility and anti-capitalist sentiments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Arthur Burling in *An Inspector Calls* symbolizes the corruption and unfeeling nature of capitalism.
• 😀 Burling's character is used by Priestley as a 'construct' to criticize capitalist values and promote a socialist society.
• 😀 The name 'Arthur Burling' is a deliberate reference to King Arthur, symbolizing an idealized ruler, but Burling is the opposite, exploiting his power for self-interest.
• 😀 Burling's dismissal of workers' rights, calling their strike a 'pitiful affair,' shows his complete lack of compassion for the working class.
• 😀 Priestley uses irony in Burling's words, as 'pitiful affair' is meant to show disdain rather than pity for the workers, representing capitalist contempt for the lower classes.
• 😀 The 1945 political context of the play is crucial, as the public was disillusioned with the rich and turned toward socialism after the Second World War.
• 😀 Priestley critiques how war is used by capitalists to profit, highlighting the exploitation of workers and soldiers during wartime for financial gain.
• 😀 Burling is presented as a 'hard-headed man of business,' a term linked to capitalist leaders who profit from war and suffering, aligning with Priestley's anti-war stance.
• 😀 The commodification of women is depicted in Burling's treatment of Sheila, where he views her marriage as a business alliance to increase wealth and status.
• 😀 Burling's reference to the Titanic as 'unsinkable' is symbolic, using dramatic irony to show how the rich believe in their invulnerability, yet capitalism is also 'unsinkable' but doomed to fail.
• 😀 Priestley uses the Titanic metaphor to suggest that capitalism, like the Titanic, is vulnerable and destined to collapse, with the working class as the 'iceberg' that will sink it.

Q & A

What does Arthur Burling symbolize in the play 'An Inspector Calls'?

Arthur Burling symbolizes the corrupt and unfeeling nature of capitalism. He represents the wealthy class that exploits others and is indifferent to the suffering of the working class, which Priestley criticizes in his play.

How does the character of Arthur Burling reflect Priestley's socialist message?

Burling's character is used by Priestley to highlight the flaws of capitalism. Through his actions, like exploiting Eva Smith and treating women as commodities, Burling exemplifies the self-interested, callous nature of the capitalist class, and Priestley uses him to argue for a more caring, socialist society.

Why is Arthur Burling's name significant?

Arthur Burling’s name is a deliberate reference to King Arthur, an idealized symbol of good leadership. Priestley contrasts the benevolent leadership of King Arthur with the exploitative and selfish behavior of Arthur Burling to emphasize the moral failings of capitalist rulers.

How does Burling's treatment of the strike reflect his capitalist mindset?

Burling refers to the workers' strike as a 'pitiful affair,' showing his lack of empathy. While King Arthur would have shown pity and sought to help the disadvantaged, Burling dismisses their struggles, symbolizing the contempt capitalists often feel for the working class.

How does Priestley link capitalism to war in the play?

Priestley critiques how capitalists profit from war by manufacturing goods like soldiers' uniforms, which become needed again as soldiers are killed. He argues that war serves the interests of business owners who profit from the destruction, illustrating the link between capitalist greed and the perpetuation of war.

What is the significance of Burling's description of himself as a 'hard-headed practical man of business'?

Burling's self-description is a reference to a phrase used by former Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, which suggests that business owners profited from wars. By using this phrase, Priestley connects Burling to the idea of capitalists who are willing to sacrifice lives for financial gain.

How does Burling use his daughter Sheila in a capitalist context?

Burling views his daughter Sheila as a commodity to be used in a business transaction, intending to secure an alliance with Gerald's family for financial and social benefit. This reflects how capitalists treat individuals as means to further their wealth and status.

What does Priestley hope to achieve with the Titanic reference in the play?

Priestley uses the Titanic reference to symbolize the vulnerability of the capitalist system. Burling’s belief that the Titanic is 'unsinkable' serves as dramatic irony, suggesting that just as the Titanic will sink, so too will the power and privilege of the capitalist class.

How does the 1945 political context influence the themes of the play?

The play was written in 1945, the year of the general election, when the public was disillusioned with the capitalist class for leading them into two world wars. Priestley used the play to argue for a shift to socialism, which he believed would create a more caring society and prevent future conflicts.

Why does Priestley choose to set the play in 1912 despite its 1945 context?

Priestley sets the play in 1912, just before the sinking of the Titanic, to highlight the difference between the privileged upper classes and the working class. The Titanic serves as a metaphor for the wealthy class's eventual downfall, which Priestley hoped would occur through the political changes of the post-war period.