Pretence is at the heart of the Birling family. To what extent do you agree?

Mrs. Birling wants to keep family secrets hidden. This is why Sheila tells her mother that they can't keep up with "these silly pretenses." Mrs. Birling is an icily impressive woman, arguably the only one of all the Birlings to almost completely resist the Inspector's attempts to make her realize her responsibilities. She uses her stature and public influence as pretense for her shortcomings.

Arthur Birling uses pretence when he conducts his speech about the Titanic and the German war.