Sybil Birling

Question 1

What words describe Mrs Birling

Answer 1

aloof, haughty, self-important, stubborn, prejudiced, unsympathetic, cold

Question 2

How is Mrs Birling shown as a cold woman

Answer 2

‘a rather cold woman’, we get the impression that there is no warmth to her character and therefore it is difficult to like her

Question 3

How is Mrs Birling shown as aware of the rules of etiquette (social behaviour)

Answer 3

for example, she corrects her husband when he compliments the cook: ‘Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things – ’ reminding us that she is ‘her husband’s social superior’

Question 4

How is Mrs Birling shown as seeing herself above others

Answer 4

when she is talking about Eva she says ‘Girls of that class’, the word ‘that’ suggests that she prefers to detach herself from anyone who belongs to a lower class

Question 5

How is Mrs Birling shown as refusing to accept responsibility

Answer 5

‘I accept no blame for at all’ ‘I was perfectly justified’

Question 6

How is Mrs Birling shown as refusing to let the inspector shake her

Answer 6

‘You have no power to make me change my mind’ she sees herself as powerful because of her status, she is rude e.g. ‘I’ve done nothing wrong - and you know it’

Question 7

How is Mrs Birling shown as no sympathy for Eva Smith

Answer 7

‘You’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did’ ‘I did nothing I’m ashamed of’’ - no remorse

Question 8

How is Mrs Birling shown as preferring to bass the blame

Answer 8

Priestley is criticising her for his when she looks like a fool at the end of act 2 - when Eric is the father

Question 9

What are the key attributes of Sybil Birling

Answer 9

cold woman, aware of the rules of social behaviour, sees herself above others, refuses to accept responsibilities, doesn’t let the inspector shake her, doesn’t show sympathy, passes the blame, thinks she is right, bad mother, remains constant

Question 10

Mrs Birling relationship with Mr Birling

Answer 10

not close, frustrated with his social blunders, but is loyal

Question 11

Mrs Birling relationship with Sheila

Answer 11

feels like she can teach her how to behave, ‘Now Sheila don’t tease him’, scolds Sheila when she steps out of line, treats her like a child, patronises her

Question 12

Mrs Birling relationship with Eric

Answer 12

does not understand him, not close, completely unaware of his drinking

Question 13

Mrs Birling relationship with Gerald

Answer 13

respects him as he is from the same class, good match for Sheila, particularly grateful when she thinks their reputation is safe

Question 14

Mrs Birling relationship with Inspector

Answer 14

remains completely untouched by his questions, feels she is above him and refuses to be intimidated, ‘You have no power to make me change my mind’, no cooperation

Question 15

Mrs Birling relationship with Eva Smith

Answer 15

refuses to help her at a time when she needed help the most, irritated by her manner could no get over the fact that Eva called herself Mrs Birling

Question 16

Mrs Birlings’ significance to the play

Answer 16

presents wealthier, privileged class, selfish attitudes, views lower class as morally inferior, does not change, we see how awful life was for lower class - huge divide, played her part in the death of Eva as she turned her away

Question 17

Mrs Birling is a symbol of

Answer 17

capitalism, upper class women, Edwardian attitudes

Question 18

Mrs Birlings themes are

Answer 18

power, responsibility, legality, gneration gap

Question 19

Mrs Birling has the effect of

Answer 19

prejudiced, cold, haughty, traditional, unchanging

Question 20

Priestley’s message from Mrs Birling is

Answer 20

socialism, equality, responsibility, change

Question 21

Mrs Birling is the symbol of

Answer 21

capitalism, upper class women, Edwardian attitudes, social injustice

Question 22

Mrs Birling has the themes of

Answer 22

power, responsibility, legality generation gap

Question 23

Mrs Birling has the effect of

Answer 23

prejudiced, unchanging, traditional, haughty, cold

Question 24

Priestley’s voice for Mrs Birling is

Answer 24

socialism, equality, responsibility, change