An Inspector Calls: Characters

?
  • Created by: Noor
  • Created on: 16-05-19 19:07

Sybil Birling

Sybil Birling is an unsympathetic woman with some public influence, sitting on charity organisations and having been married two years ago to the Lord Mayor, Arthur Birling. Sybil is mother of Sheila and Eric Birling. Priestley describes her as a "about fifty, a rather cold woman," and her husband's "social superior." 

She is described as a rather cold woman and is her husbands social superior. She is an icily impressive woman, the only one of all the Birlings to almost resist The Inspector's attempts to make her realise her responsibilities. She has a lack of understanding of how other people live and thinks that all classes behave in a certain way, this is shown in her snobbish comment "a girl of that sort" and in her unwillingness to believe that the a lower class girl would refuse to take stolen money or marry a foolish young man responsible for her pregnancy.

Mrs Birling is a very naive character. She doesn't think there is any problem in her family at all and all problems exist outside, only seeing what she wants to see. She is quite prepared to put the blame onto the father of the child because she doesn't know the father is her own son. It is only when Mrs Birling realises that her son, Eric, was the father of Eva Smith's child and her actions have resulted in the death of her own grandchild that she begins to show any signs of remorse.   The speed at which she recovers after the inspector leaves reflects her coldness and lack of conscience. 

Priestley's Message (intended effect on the audience)

She represents the wealthier, privileged classes and their selfish attitudes.

She sees the lower class as morally inferior – Priestley hated this kind of attitude and believed that people with these attitudes had to change if society was going to work.

She makes us see just how awful life was for the lower classes at this time (1912) – the class divide was huge.

She played her part in the death of Eva Smith – she turned her away (from her charity) when she needed help. The girl was penniless and pregnant – but Mrs Birling thought she was lying, as no girl ‘of that sort’ would refuse money.

Mrs Birling's Character Development/changes

She does not change at the end of the play – perhaps this is why ‘An Inspector Calls’ again, to try and make her change.

Mrs Birling's Key Quotes Bank

 Please note that page numbers may vary by edition. Many of these quotes, similar to Mr Birling, show that Mrs Birling is a selfish character. 

Act 1

Pg 2: 'Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things'

Pg 3: ‘Sheila! What an expression! Really, the things you girls pick up these days!’

Pg 3: 'Now Sheila don’t tease him. 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.'

Pg 4…

Comments

No comments have yet been made