Mrs Birling Flashcards
The patriarchy is strong with this one. In Edwardian times, women were seen as insignificant and foolish, who should just follow their husband’s lead and stay out of the way. In act one, what does Sybil say to present this idea?
When you’re married you’ll realize that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business.
Sybil refuses to tell the Inspector anything good about her role in the suicide, at first trying to lie to get out of it. But, initially she says a quote that says she will do the opposite and will comply. What is this quote?
While we’ll be glad to tell you anything you want to know, I don’t think we can help you much
In the context of Eric’s drinking, Mrs Birling has an ignorant nature. As well as this, she sees her children, who are in their early 20s, as little kids. This represents how ignorant she is to the truth, what quote presents this?
No, of course not, he’s only a boy
Sybil is rather stupid. She cannot see the truth nor can she learn the correct lesson. Ironically, she believes that she is in fact learning something, when she is not learning the right thing. Which quote supports this tell me now or el-
I must say, we are learning something tonight
Mrs Birling is incredibly prejudiced against the lower and working class - What is one example of this?
I think she only had herself to blame
Mrs Birling refuses to take responsibility and has zero remorse for any of her actions - What is an example of this?
I did nothing I’m ashamed of
She tends to speak down on others she sees as lesser, like the lower class and working class, like Eva Smith - What is an example of this?
As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!
Sybil takes incredible pride in her not relenting and accepting that she was at fault, what is an example of this?
I was the only one who didn’t give in to him
At the end of the play, Sybil is still incredibly patronizing towards Sheila and Eric, even though they act more mature than her anyways - Q u o t e
They’re over tired. In the morning, they’ll be just as amused as we are
