J.B. Priestley’s play “An Inspector Calls” portrays Mrs. Birling as an affluent, haughty woman who adheres to traditional beliefs and values. She eventually fails because she admits her prejudices and flaws as the play goes on.

First Impressions:

Mrs. Birling is introduced as a snobbish and haughty character at the start of the play. She expects others to share her values and beliefs because she is proud of her social standing. This is clear when she rejects Eva Smith’s plea for assistance on the grounds that the young woman does not belong in the same social class as her family. “I must say, we are learning something tonight,” she says. Not earlier than necessary, either. You can take it from me, you young people, that a man needs to take care of himself and his family and mind his own business.