In the introduction of Act One, we are given a few brief details about Mr Birling by the author. We are told that he is a 'heavy-looking, rather portentous man in his middle fifties with fairly easy manners but rather provincial in his speech.' So we already know that Mr Birling is a man of some significance who is quite well mannered. Although, just by the way in which the author has mentioned that …showed first 75 words of 3573 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3573 total…like a knight in armour and all the Inspector has done upon his visit to the family, is to gradually break away at this armour piece by piece, until you are left with the naked Birling - the real Arthur Birling. He is very vain, arrogant and ignorant of others. You could even go as far as to say, he is a subtle but highly obvious symbol of many flaws in society and the populace.