Mrs Birling

Question 1

mrs Birling stage directions

Answer 1

• (a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior)

Question 2

trying to uphold exterior social status to Gerald after Mr Birling praises cook

Answer 2

• B – “Good dinner too, Sybil. Tell cook from me.” – 1.2
  SB – “(reproachfully) Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things-” – 1.2

Question 3

patriarchal

Answer 3

• SB - ‘I think Sheila and I had better go into the drawing-room and leave you men-’ - 1.5

Question 4

trying to uphold social status in front of inspector - not aware of situation

Answer 4

• SB – “(smiling, social) Good evening, Inspector.” – 2.29

Question 5

belittling Sheila

Answer 5

• SB – “Nothing but morbid curiosity.” – 2.30 – thinks this is why Sheila wants to stay to hear rest of interrogation, belittling her
• • SB – “Over-excited.” – 2.33
• • SB – “Don’t be childish, Sheila.” -3.59

Question 6

prejudice towards lower classes

Answer 6

• SB – “I don’t suppose for a moment that we can understand why the girl committed suicide .Girls of that class-” – 2.30

Question 7

belittling both her children when first meeting inspector

Answer 7

SB - ‘(rebuking them) I’m talking to the Inspector now, if you don’t mind.” - 2.31

Question 8

flexing social status on inspector

Answer 8

SB - “(To INSPECTOR, rather grandly) You know of course that my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he’s still a magistrate - “ - 2.31

Question 9

still trying to maintain high social status exterior to Gerald after he has told his part in the case

Answer 9

• SB – “I don’t think we want any further details of this disgusting affair-” – 2.38

Question 10

why she was prejudiced against Eva Smith’s case (called herself Mrs Birling)

Answer 10

• SB – “I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence – quite deliberate – and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case.” – 2.43

Question 11

Does she believe she was responsible for Eva Smiths dead

Answer 11

• SB – “I think she had only herself to blame.” – 2.43
• SB – “I was justified.” – 2.46
• SB – “I accept no blame for it at all.” – 2.47

Question 12

Blaming Eva Smith death on Eric

Answer 12

• SB – “Go and look for the father of the child. It’s his responsibility.” – 2.45
• SB – “he ought to be dealt with very severely-… make sure that he’s compelled to confess in public” – 2.48 – father of Eva Smith’s child which she doesn’t know is Eric

Question 13

why does she think Eva Smith’s alibi was false

Answer 13

• SB – “She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position.” – 2.46
• SB – “As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!” – 2.47

Question 14

doesn’t know her own son

Answer 14

• SB – “Besides, you’re not the type – you don’t get drunk-” – 3.50

Question 15

she hasn’t dealt with anyone so rude in speech. (after inspector has left)

Answer 15

• SB – “Well, I must say his manner was quite extraordinary; so – so rude – and assertive-” – 3.59

Question 16

still hasn’t learnt her lesson after Inspector has left. Believes she didnt confess

Answer 16

• SB – “He certainly didn’t make me confess – as you call it. I told him quite plainly that I thought I had done no more than my duty.” – 3.60

Question 17

admits she got bluffed by Insepctor

Answer 17

• SB – “Then quite suddenly he [Inspector] said I’d seen Eva Smith only two weeks ago. … And like a fool I said Yes I had.” – 3.67

Question 18

hasn’t learnt anything

Answer 18

SB - “In the morning they’ll be as amused as we are.” - 3.71