Sybil Birling - Act 1 Key Quotations

Question 1

Description of Sybil in stage directions, portraying her as a cold-hearted woman, perhaps foreshadowing her lack of emotion towards the proletariat classes:

Answer 1

“a rather cold woman and her husband’s social superior”

Question 2

Sybil scolds Arthur for making a comment that she deemed to be unsuitable for the occasion, exemplifying her obsession over appearance and pre-war etiquette:

Answer 2

“Arthur, you’re not supposed to say such things”

Question 3

Sybil conforms to the patriarchal norms of the time, supporting the fact that women simply supported their husbands who ruled society, and were subservient to them:

Answer 3

“When you’re married you’ll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business.”

Question 4

Sybil is concerned about maintaining the reputation of her family and their appearance as respectable, for example in front of Gerald, when she scolds Arthur for talking about business at the dinner table (she strictly sticks to the norms of society, exemplifying her self-centred, capitalist views):

Answer 4

“Now, Arthur, I don’t think you ought to talk business on an occasion like this.”

Question 5

Sybil talks about Sheila’s engagement ring, highlighting her obsession over material aspects of life and wealth:

Answer 5

“It’s a lovely ring. Be careful with it.”