[AIC] Mrs Birling

Question 1

Overview of Sybil Birling

Answer 1

• Her husband’s social superior
• Sits on the panel of a local women’s charity
• Denied Eva Smith
charity out of spite, Leading to Eva’s death
• Refuses to accept responsibility for her actions

Question 2

Role

Answer 2

Sybil Birling represents the cruelty and arrogance of the most powerful people in a society with such a vast divide between the rich and the poor

Question 3

Key Characteristics

Answer 3

• Stubborn
• Selfish
• Lacks empathy
• Prizes social class

Question 4

Themes represented

Answer 4

• Capitalism vs
Socialism
• Generational conflict
• Responsibility

Question 5

What does Sybil Birling symbolise

Answer 5

She represents the damage that can be caused by power and status in an unfair capitalist society

Question 6

Mrs Birling abuses her social position:

Answer 6

she prizes social status above all else, and believes in strict class segregation, even chastising her husband when he praises the cook

Question 7

Mrs Birling is hypocritical

Answer 7

she associates poverty with immorality and blames the father of Eva Smith’s unborn child for Eva’s circumstances, but rejects this idea when the Inspector reveals that Eric Birling was the father

Question 8

Mrs Birling symbolises the older generation

Answer 8

her refusal to change her ways and take responsibility for her actions contrasts with the receptiveness of Sheila and Eric, who represent the younger generation’s potential to change for the better

Question 9

Language analysis

Answer 9

Priestley uses a range of techniques to make Sybil Birling a deeply unlikeable