Characters - Sybil Birling Flashcards
(10 cards)
What type of woman is Sybil ?
- She is a wealthy, and influential woman of the upper class.
- President of the Brumley Women’s Charity Organization.
- Reputation is very important to her - she is concerned about
maintaining the family’s social standing. - Unsympathetic - blames Eva for her own misfortunes.
How is Sybil presented as feeling superior ?
- She is elitist and dismissive of the lower class.
- She believes the less fortunate are responsible for their own problems
- Defensive and self-righteous.
How does Priestly show Sybil’s hypocrisy ?
- She represents the failure of the upper class to acknowledge their social responsibilities.
- Refusing to help Eva Smith when she sought assistance from the charity.
How is Sybil presented as a bad mother ?
- She prioritises social status and reputation over her children’s emotional wellbeing.
- Fails to protect her children by being dismissive of their crises rather than supporting them unconditionally.
How does Sybil conform to the gender expectations of the time ?
- Supports her husband in his views and decisions.
- Expected to act in a supportive, non-confrontational manner rather than as an equal to her husband.
- She believes in maintaining social hierarchy, aligning with the expectation that upper-class women should uphold class distinctions.
What does Sybil’s charity role show about her ?
- Reinforces traditional female roles of social responsibility in the era.
What is Sybil’s relationship with Eric like ?
- Lack of awareness about her children’s struggles
- Inability to connect with her children emotionally.
- Blames Eric for his involvement in the family’s issues instead of offering support.
How does Sybil imply about her social status in the quote ‘I don’t think we want any further details of this disgusting affair’?
She believes that discussing the situation further is beneath her and reflects her disdain for lower social classes.
What does Sybil Birling mean when she states, ‘I did my duty’?
She believes she fulfilled her social obligations without recognizing the moral implications of her actions.
What phrase does Sybil Birling use to describe her views on the lower classes?
She refers to them as ‘undeserving’ individuals.
