Sybil Birling Character and Context

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  • Sybil Birling
    • Cold
      • Evidence
        • "She was claiming elaborate fine feelings and scruples that were simply absurd in a girl in her position."
      • How?
        • Mrs Birling is very unsympathetic when describing Eva Smith's position. Sybil assumes instantly that because Eva is pregnant and single she is a bad person.
      • Analysis
        • She assumes that just because Eva is unmarried and pregnant that she is unable to have 'fine feelings', a very cruel and cold opinion to have.
    • Snobbish
      • Evidence
        • "What an expression, Sheila! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!"
      • How?
        • Sybil shows that she is snobbish when she criticises members of her family for their behaviour.
      • Analysis
        • Sybil shouts at Sheila for using the word 'squiffy' - meaning drunk. Sybil has snobbish opinions that people should speak and behave 'properly', not doing so would make her look down upon them.
    • Context
      • The hardships of wartime challenged the class structure in Britain. Due to rationing of food and clothes, people of all classes were eating and dressing the same. They were also fighting side by side, and so class barriers came down. Sybil Birling, like her husband Arthur, represents a type of middle-class snobbery that existed prior to the World Wars. Priestley hoped that these sorts of attitudes would die out, and uses Mrs Birling to show how they can lead to cold and thoughtless behaviour.
    • Ignorant
      • Evidence
        • "No, of course not. He's only a boy." And later "(staggered) it isn’t true."
      • How?
        • When the Inspector suggests that Eric is used to drinking, Mrs Birling jumps quickly to Eric's defence.
      • Analysis
        • She shows her ignorance in two ways, first by defending Eric 'of course not' when the Inspector suggests that he is used to drinking. Secondly by stating that Eric is only 'a boy'. He is not a boy but a young man, Sybil refuses to see this. Her shock at this revelation '(staggered)' is further evidence of this.

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