Mrs Sybil Birling

Question 1

brief summary of Mrs Birling

Answer 1

Mrs. Birling is a cold, arrogant, and socially superior woman who refuses to accept responsibility for Eva Smith’s death, embodying the selfishness and hypocrisy of the upper class.

Question 2

Role of Mrs Birling in the Play

Answer 2

embodies the selfishness of the upper class, refusing to accept responsibility for her role in Eva Smith’s suffering and stubbornly upholding social hierarchies.

She denies help to Eva as chair of the charity, blames others—even her own son—and remains unrepentant, symbolizing the moral failure of capitalism.

Question 3

Adjectives for her personality

Answer 3

• arrogant
• cold-hearted
• stubborn
• self righteous
• controlling
• callous

Question 4

adjectives for her social attitude

Answer 4

• classist
• hypocritical
• status osessed
• unrepentant

Question 5

stage descriptions dynamics

Answer 5

grandly
haughtily
triumphantly
I
I
rather cowed
distressed
staggered
alarmed

Question 6

language patterns

Answer 6

language is abrupt and dismissive- “that class/ that sort/ the type”
uses imperative conveying confidence and superiority- “go and look for the fatherof the child”

Question 7

Quotes showing Mrs Birling’s Classist behaivour

Answer 7

• “Girls of that class…” (Act 2) – Highlights her class prejudice.
• “I’m Mrs. Birling, y’know.” (Act 2) – Shows her sense of self-importance.
• mocks Eva’s “feelings”, suggesting working-class people aren’t capable of genuine emotion.
• “That sort” reinforces her classist stereotype that poor women are greedy and immoral.

Shows Mrs. Birling’s belief that working-class people are inferior and undeserving of sympathy.

Priestley exposes how the wealthy dehumanize the poor to justify their cruelty.

Question 8

Quotes on Mrs Birling controlling others

Answer 8

• “Sheila, don’t talk nonsense.” (Act 1) – Shuts down Sheila’s emotions.
• “Eric, I want you a minute.” (Act 1) – Demands his attention.
• “But I accept no blame for it at all.” (Act 2) – Dismisses Sheila’s guilt.

Her attempts to control others backfire (e.g., condemning Eric), exposing her blindness.
Mrs. Birling’s controlling nature highlights Priestley’s warning—unchecked power and pride lead to destruction, while empathy and responsibility are the only paths to a fairer society.

Question 9

Quotes on Mrs Birlings stubbornness

Answer 9

• “He was an impostor!” (Act 3) – Dismisses the Inspector instead of reflecting.
• “I was perfectly justified.” (Act 2) – Defends her cruel decision stubbornly.
• “I did nothing I’m ashamed of.” (Act 2) – Refuses to accept any blame.

Question 10

Priestley’s ideas through Mrs Birling

Answer 10

• Moral Blindness – She refuses responsibility, claiming she was “justified,” showing the selfishness of the wealthy.
• Stubborn Hypocrisy – She condemns Eva’s “impertinence” but unwittingly damns her own son, revealing her ignorance.
• Outdated Values – Unlike the younger generation, she never learns, symbolising the old order’s failure to change.