Sybil Birling Flashcards
(16 cards)
Stage Directions Quotes
“about fifty”
“a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”
Act 1 Quotes
“When you’re married you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business.”
“What an expression Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!”
Act 2 Quotes from Mrs Birling’s interrogation about her prejudice against Eva Smith.
(About Eva calling herself Mrs Birling) “it was simply a piece of gross impertinence - quite deliberate - and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case.”
“Girls of that class…”
“she was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position”
”As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money”
Act 3 Quotes
“But I accept no blame at all.”
“He’s only a boy”
“They’re over-tired. In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are”
How does Mrs Birling enter in act 2 during Gerald’s interrogation?
“[Now MRS BIRLING enters, briskly and self- confidently, quite out of key with the little scene that has just passed.]”
How does Mrs Birling undermine her children in act 2?
“You seem to have made a great impression on this child [Sheila], Inspector.”
(To Sheila) “I think you ought to go to bed”
(To Sheila) “Please don’t contradict me like that.”
(About Eric) “He’s only a boy.”
(About Eric when he leaves) “Silly boy!”
How does Mrs Birling react when the inspector talks about Eva Smith becoming Gerald’s mistress, and the affair as a whole?
“MRS BIRLING: What?
SHEILA: Of course, Mother. It was obvious from the start.”
“I don’t think we want any further details of this disgusting affair”
How does Mrs Birling try to intimidate the inspector in act 2?
“my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate”
How does Mrs Birling react when Inspector starts asking her questions
(When asked to look at the photograph) “I don’t see any particular reason why I should”
(When asked if she recognised Eva Smith)
“MRS BIRLING: I don’t understand you, Inspector.
INSPECTOR: You mean you don’t choose to do,”
How does Mrs Birling describe her charitable organisation in act 2?
“We’ve done a great deal of useful work in helping deserving cases.”
How does Mrs Birling refuse responsibility in act 2?
“I did nothing I’m ashamed of”… “I used my influence to have it refused”… “I consider I did my duty”… “you have no power to make me change my mind”
“I’ve done nothing wrong”
“wasn’t I who had her turned out of her employment” (turning on Mr Birling)
“you’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did.”
“I accept no blame for it at all.”
How does Mrs Birling unknowingly blame Eric in her interrogation?
“Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.”
“I blame the young man”
“He should be made an example of. If the girl’s death is due to anybody, then it’s due to him.”
“he ought to be dealt with very severely”
How does Mrs Birling react to the revelation of Eric’s involvement and how does she refuse to accept the truth? (End of act 2 and beginning of act 3)
“[She stops, and exchanges a frightened glance with her husband.]”
“[agitated] I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it…”
“you don’t get drunk”
“[shocked] Eric! You stole money?”
What does Eric say about Mrs Birling when he finds out she refused to help Eva, in act 3?
“[almost threatening her] You don’t understand anything. You never did. You never even tried - you -“
How does Mrs Birling undermine her children in act 3?
“Eric, I’m absolutely ashamed of you.”
“Don’t be childish, Sheila.”
“the way you children talk, you might be wanting to help him instead of us. Now just be quiet so that your father can decide what we ought to do.”
“They’re over-tired. In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are.”
How does Mrs Birling try to deny confessing to the inspector in Act 3?
“He certainly didn’t make me confess”
“I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him.”
