sybil birling character profile

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  • The Character Of Sybil Birling In 'An Inspector Calls'
    • Social class and Status
      • Mrs Birling is upper class , and a snob. She looks down upon who she believes to be inferior , which at times seems to include her own husband
      • Mrs Birling also initially believes that using her upper class status and connections , she can intimidate the inspector, which turns out to be an entirely false assumption.
      • Furthermore, the Inspector goes on to prompt Mrs Birling to reveal her part in Eva Smiths suicide.
      • Mrs Birling admits she told the charity in which she led to refuse Eva Smiths claim for aid, denying her the money she needed to survive . it is clear that Mrs Birling uses her social power and status to do more harm than good
      • " my husband was Lord Mayor "
      • " Her husband's social superior"
        • "The most prominent member of the committee"
    • The Position of Women
      • Though Sybil does appear dominant at times, contrary to the stereotypical submissive woman , she is also often presented as not only accepting but perpetuating the inferior position of women.
      • She encourages Sheila to accept her future husbands affair, and similarly can excuse her own husband and sons mistreatment of women.
      • She also happily abides by social customs which oppress women, such as being unable to discuss or be involved in business or politics as one is a woman.
      • Despite this , her cold and cruel character counters the stereotypical kind and caring female character and her chastisement of her husband and son at the end of the play perhaps grants her more power than expected of a woman
      • "You'll have to get used to it , just as I did"
        • " Men with important work to do sometimes have to spend all their time and energy in their business"
    • Lack of Remorse
      • Mrs Birling openly shows her lack of guilt or remorse for her actions , standing by her refusal to aid Eva Smith.
      • Mrs Birling is quick to blame both Eva herself and the father of the baby , unaware that the father is her son.
      • Despite her lack of remorse , it could be argued that Sybil holds the most responsibility for Eva's death , as it was the lack of money during her pregnancy, caused by Mrs Birling , which finally became too much for Eva to handle - Mrs Birlings refusal to accept guilt reinforces her coldness and cruelty.
      • " She had only herself to blame "
        • " I accept no blame for it at all "
          • " You're quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did "
    • Public vs Privatesphere
      • Like her husband , Mrs Birling is primarily concerned about avoiding a public scandal.
      • She lacks any true morality and rather conducts herself based on social etiquette.
      • Her involvement in charity makes her look virtuous when she actually abuses her power to stop those who need aid from getting it .
      • She fergns outrage at the action of men such as Joe Heggarty who forced himself on Eva , contextually this was expected of upper class men
      • " Surely you don't mean Alderman Heggarty "
        • " U was perfectly justified in advising my committee not to allow her claim for assistance"
    • Irony
      • Mrs Birlings false disgust at Joe Heggarty's behaviour is ironic given that the entire play revolves around the cruel and immoral behaviour of the Birling family.
      • Mrs Birlings haste to place the blame on someone other than herself she implicates her own son, ironically even suggesting how to punish him.
      • It may also be considered ironic that her attempts to appear virtuous does more harm than good
      • " Well we are learning something tonight!"
        • " I blame the young man who was the father "
        • " she seemed to me to be not a good case"

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