Key Sybil Birling Quotes

Question 1

How described in first stage directions

Answer 1

“(his wife)”
NOTE - despite being socially superior, she is still referred to “his wife” at first, suggesting men of a lower class were still more important that a woman of the next class up. social discrimination < gender discrimination
“(about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior)”

Question 2

Final words she says (Act 3)

Answer 2

“They’re over-tired. In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are”

Question 3

First words she says (Act 1)

Answer 3

“(smiling) Very well, then. Just a little, thank you.” - about port. - “(To Edna, who is about to go, with tray) All right, Edna. I’ll ring from the drawing-room when we want coffee. Probably in about half an hour.”

Question 4

Some stage directions on how she speaks (Act 1)

Answer 4

"(smiling)" x3
"(reproachfully)" 
"(raising her glass, smiling)"
"(As Mrs Birling shows signs of interrupting)" - Mr Birling's speech, he starts to close it
"(rising. The others rise)"

Quite a few compared to other characters, even considering she’s only there at the start.

Question 5

Some stage directions on how she speaks (Act 2)

Answer 5

“(Now Mrs Birling enters, briskly and self-confidently, quite out if key with the little scene that has just passed…smiling, social)”
“(Same easy tone)” - undetered by Inspector’s prescence
“(affecting great surprise)” - Sheila’s outburst
“(annoyed)” - at Sheila again
“(haughtily)” - Inspector agreeing with daughter
“(rebuking them)”
“(very sharply)”
“(staggered)”
“(bitterly)” - finding out Eric drinking
“(after pause, recovering herself)”
“(with sudden anger, to Inspector)”
“(sharply)”
“(cutting in)” - when Gerald describes Alderman Meggarty
“(staggered)”
“(angrily)” - when Inspector says she doesn’t choose to understand him
“(with dignity)” - about charity
“(alarmed)”
“(after a pause)” - admitting she saw Eva
“(stung)”
“(agitated now)”
“(rather cowed)”
“(rather agitated now)”
“(severely)” - against Sheila
“(triumphantly)” - knowing Inspector wil bring culprit to justice
“(understanding now)” -ERIC!
“(agitated)”

Question 6

Some stage directions on how she speaks (Act 3)

Answer 6

“(distressed)”
“(with a cry)” - how could ERIC DO THIS AA
“(shocked)” - Eric stole
“(alarmed)” Sheila says she spoke to Eva
“(Mrs Birling, distressed, shakes her head but does not reply)”
“(very distressed now)”
INSPECTOR LEAVES
“(coming to life)”
“(with some excitement)”
“(protesting)” - convincing Arthur she hadn’t been fooled, he immediately believes her
“(warningly)” doesn’t want Sheila to tell story to Gerald
“(triumphantly)”
“(warningly)” - this time to Arthur to hide truth from Gerald too when he shouts at Eric
“(sharply)” - to Sheila
“(protesting)”
“(smiling)”