An Inspector Calls: Character Profiles

An Inspector Calls: Character Profiles

Character Profiles for “An Inspector Calls”

Mr. Arthur Birling

• Arthur Birling: A successful, self-made businessman. He is incredibly proud of his accomplishments and is a firm believer in capitalist ideals. He dismisses the predictions of war and his narrow-mindedness emphasises Priestley’s message of a need for social change.

Mrs. Sybil Birling

• Sybil Birling: A socially conscious woman, Sybil is determined to keep the family’s reputation intact. Her lack of compassion and understanding towards Eva Smith underscores her position as an embodiment of the upper class’s dismissive attitude towards the working class.

Sheila Birling

• Sheila Birling: At the start of the play, Sheila is portrayed as naïve and superficial, content with her privileged lifestyle. However, upon learning about her role in Eva Smith’s demise, Sheila experiences a moral awakening, becoming distressed and remorseful.

Eric Birling

• Eric Birling: He begins as a seemingly shallow, self-indulgent young man, but like Sheila, he is deeply affected by the Inspector’s revelations. Eric develops an awareness of his social responsibility, offering the possibility of positive social change.

Inspector Goole

• Inspector Goole: The character who confronts each member of the Birling family about their hypocrisy and dismissive attitudes towards the lower classes. His nature and purpose remain mysterious, serving almost as a moral force urging the Birlings to acknowledge their guilt.

Gerald Croft

• Gerald Croft: Engaged to Sheila Birling. He is initially portrayed as well-mannered and gentlemanly, but later on, it is revealed that he had an affair with Eva Smith/Daisy Renton. Gerald represents the upper class’s hypocrisy as he hides his indiscretions behind a façade of respectability.