Mr Birling is presented as a selfish, capitalist businessman who is unpleasant with the idea of socialism as it opposes his ideas. He mocks by stating that rich and poor are "mixed up together like bees in a hive" This simile suggests that Mr Birling is mocking the idea of socialism and saying it in an arrogant way, which shows his selfishness, and at this point he is delivering a long speech of his deluded views, which nobody agrees to. He is also mocking the ideas of community, saying they are foolish, as this idea of socialism shouldn’t have been created in the first place, as he doesn’t like all classes mixing up. It also suggests that Mr Birling believes that socialists are like mindless animals who are not trustworthy. The controversial verb ‘mixed’ implies that Mr Birling finds it wrong that classes mix up because they shouldn’t mix up, and he finds this idea of socialism comical. This shows the reader that Mr Birling doesn’t like the idea of socialism, as he states it in a simile, and the lower or working classes shouldn’t get anything from the upper classes as it is their own fault. This links to the context, as Mr Birling represents a greedy businessman who only cares for himself, and it shows the arrogance of capitalists in Edwardian society.
As the play progresses, Mr Birling is seen as arrogant and deluded as he predicts the wrong future outcomes. He believes that the titan will be "unsinkable, absolutely unsinkable" This repetition suggests that he is confident with what he says, but as audience members, we know that the Titanic did sink, which makes him look foolish and stupid to his audience as the points that he made are wrong and also because of his uncertainty. This also implies that Mr Birling thinks that what he says is true, which shows a sense of arrogance and his egotistical behaviour, as this hints that his future points will be less valid and trustworthy. This makes capitalism untrustworthy, as does the fact that Mr Birling supports the idea of capitalism. The adverb ‘absolutely’ presents his family in a negative way because Mr Birling is the main member who controls the family, which shows that his family follows what he says. This shows the reader that Mr Birling makes incorrect future points, which makes him erroneous, and also makes the reader think that this character is used negatively to show the upper classes in the 1940s. This links to the context because Philip Franklin believed that the Titanic was unsinkable, but it sank, which represents Mr Birling and also the arrogant and egocentric people and shows to us that they were mostly wrong.
As the play terminates, Mr Birling has not altered himself or his actions or doings, and he is seen unaffected by the Inspector. Mr Birling laughs at "the famous younger generation who know it all. And they can’t even take a joke" The use of sarcasm suggests that Mr Birling failed to transform and hasn’t learned a lesson. Instead, he is delighted when he discovers that the inspector is a fake, which shows his behaviour is wrong and that he is joking at the wrong time. This highlights the old thinking as well as his mocking of the ‘younger generation’, whom he believes to be weaker and more liberal. This is ironic because the younger generation, Sheila and Eric, have learned a lesson that Mr Birling hasn’t, and they haven't turned it into laughter. The adjective ‘famous’ hints to us that they will be more attentive as they have the capability to think and consider something as wrong or right, so that is why they will become more famous. This links to the context because the younger generation represents the idea that society can change. Sheila and Eric learn Priestley's socialist message, and he wanted the younger generation to vote for change because it is easier to change their minds. It also gives hope for the future.