Mrs. (Sybil) Birling Flashcards
(18 cards)
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 1)
‘When you’re married…
…you’ll realise that men with important work…’
ACT 1: ‘you’ll realise that men with important work…’
- Implies traditional gender roles: women must accept male authority
- ‘Men with important work’ highlights high respect for male dominance & status
- Suggests Mrs Birling believes women should be less involved in serious matters
- Shows her conservative attitude towards family & society
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 1)
‘(reproachfully) Arthur,…
…you’re not supposed to say such things-‘
ACT 1: ‘(reproachfully) Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things-‘
- The stage direction ‘reproachfully’ shows she’s scolding Arthur, emphasising her control & dominance
- ‘Not supposed to say such things’ implies strict rules around social behaviour/class
- Reveals her concern for maintaining social appearances & hierarchy
- Highlights her snobbish, authoritative personality
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 1)
‘What an expression,…
…Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!’
ACT 1: ‘What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!’
- Patronising tone diminishes Sheila’s opinion, asserting Mrs Birling’s superiority
- ‘You girls’ is dismissive, reflecting generational divide
- Shows Mrs Birling’s resistance to change and focus on appearances
- Emphasises her rigid social views
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 2)
‘Girls of…
…that class-‘
ACT 2: ‘Girls of that class-‘
- ‘that’ = dismissive and judgemental, dehumanises Eva
- reinforces Mrs Birling’s class prejudice and superiority
- dash suggests she cuts herself off, revealing how offensive she knows it is
- shows theme of class divide & lack of social responsibility
- Priestley uses her as a symbol of the uncaring upper class
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 2)
‘I accept no…
…blame for it all’
ACT 2: ‘I accept no blame for it all’
- repetition of negatives (‘no’, ‘at all’) = total denial
- shows her arrogance & refusal to reflect or take responsibility
- links to theme of guilt vs pride — she learns nothing
- contrasts with younger generation who do take responsibility
- audience sees her as part of what needs to change in society
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 2)
‘Unlike the other…
…three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of’
ACT 2: ‘Unlike the other three, I did nothing I’m ashamed of’
- separates herself (‘unlike’) = proud & self-righteous
- dramatic irony — audience is ashamed of her, even if she isn’t
- shows her complete failure to learn the Inspector’s message
- connects to theme of generational divide & morality
- Priestley criticises those who think social status = moral superiority
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 3)
‘But I didn’t…
…know it was you’
ACT 3: ‘But I didn’t know it was you’
- Pronoun ‘you’ = shows sudden change in tone when she learns it’s Eric.
- Highlights her hypocrisy — she only cares now it affects her family.
- Reveals class prejudice — no sympathy when it was a working-class girl.
- Priestley shows how upper-class morality is often conditional, not genuine.
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 3)
‘I had done no…
…more than my duty’
ACT 3: ‘I had done no more than my duty’
- Formal tone (‘duty’) = cold, emotionless attitude to Eva’s suffering.
- Suggests she sees helping others as a task, not a moral choice.
- Hides behind rules — refuses personal responsibility.
- Criticises how institutions (like charity committees) can fail the vulnerable.
FINISH THE QUOTE (ACT 3)
‘He certainly…
…didn’t make me confess’
ACT 3: ‘He certainly didn’t make me confess’
- Boastful tone = proud of resisting the Inspector’s questioning.
- Verb ‘confess’ = she knows she’s guilty but won’t admit it.
- Reflects her arrogance & refusal to change.
- Priestley contrasts her with younger characters to explore the generational divide.
