Sybil Birling Analysis Flashcards
What is the role of Mrs Birling in the family
Although she is of a higher class than her husband, she is subservient (lets him control her) to him in a patriarchal (male ruled) household and society.
She is in charge of the household and of teaching Sheila how to be a good-mannered young lady who understands pre-war etiquette perfectly.
What is Mrs Birlings role in the play
Priestley portrays a stereotypical upper-class pre-war woman – she is concerned about her reputation, social status and appearance.
Her priorities are to keep an unblemished (perfect) reputation and dress well so as to show off her husband’s wealth.
She shares her husband’s capitalist ideas about people only looking after themselves – she is uninterested in how her actions affect others
What is Mrs Birlings connection with Eva
When a pregnant Eva approached the Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation for financial help, Mrs Birling (who chaired the committee) took a disliking to her and refused to give her any help.
How does Mrs birling represent the uncaring upper-class
Priestley uses Mrs Birling to really bring out the uncaring, selfish, self-centred nature of the upper classes in society.
He felt that these were the people who needed to change in order to improve wider society
How effected is Mrs Birling by Inspector Goole
She is the only character to stay completely unaffected by Inspector Goole’s revelations – she shows no emotion about Eva until she learns about Eric’s involvement
What are the three main things that Mrs birling is concerned about
Reputation,
Status,
Appearance
What does the quote ‘I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.’ show
Shows her status, she knows that you should never discuss business on family occasions, she also doesn’t want gerald to feel like the birling family do not know how to act in certain situations
What does the quote ‘I was the only one who didn’t give in to him.’ show
Mrs Birling views it as a victory that she did not accept any of the blame the Inspector tried to lay at her feet.
She is almost smug in this statement because she mocks the others for answering Inspector Goole’s questions truthfully.
In some cases, she mocks people for feeling the guilt he was trying to get out of them.
What does the quote ”I’ll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
This is a very ironic statement due to the fact that eric is the father and has currently left the house, Mrs B is blissfully unware that this lousy and useless father is her own son
