Mrs Birling - character

?
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins does Sybil represent?
Wrath
1 of 12
How does Sybil represent wrath (anger)?
Mrs Birling shows anger when Eva Smith uses her name, in what she believes is a spiteful way. She doesn't like anyone using her name without good reason. She is prejudiced against her case purely because she uses the Birling name. She is furious.
2 of 12
Find two quotes that tell us that she is angry with Eva.
"it was simply a piece of gross impertinence" "The girl began by telling us a whole pack of lies" "it made me finally lost all patience with her" "it sounded ridiculous to me" "she'd impertinently made use of our name"
3 of 12
How is Mrs Birling cold?
Mrs Birling is extremely unsympathetic when describing Eva Smith's position. She is described as "rather cold" in the stage directions and her character impacts the house, "it's not cosy or homelike".
4 of 12
Find at least two quotes that tell us Sybil is cold.
"rather cold" "not cosy or homelike" "she was giving herself ridiculous airs" "a girl of that sort" "she was claiming elaborate fine feelings...absurd in a girl of her position."
5 of 12
How is Sybil Birling snobbish?
She shows that she's snobbish when she critisises members of her family for behaviour she considers innappropriate. She shouts at Sheila for using slang. And she categorises the working class and Eva as "a girl of that sort". She has strong opinions.
6 of 12
Find at least two quotes that show that Sybil is snobbish.
"You're not supposed to say such things." "What an expression, Sheila! The things you girls pick up these days" "a girl of that sort" "a girl of that class" "only herself to blame"
7 of 12
How is Sybil Birling naive / blind?
She is blind to Eric being an alcoholic because he's 'her little boy' - she doesn't see him as an adult. Also she has strong perceptions of how social classes should behave (unlike Alderman Meggarty) and Sheila accussing Gerald of not seeing her...
8 of 12
Find at least two quotes that show Sybil Birling is naive and blind.
"men with important work to do have to spend almost all their time on their business." "surely you don't mean Alderman Meggarty" "we are learning something tonight" "It isn't true."
9 of 12
What are Mrs Birling's political views and how do we know this?
Mrs Birling is conservative. We know this because she is a tradtional, upper-class lady who doesn't believe in collective responsibility (socialism) and she is like her husband. She doesn't feel at fault for what she's done or to blame...
10 of 12
Does Mrs Birling feel socially responsible and how do we know this?
No. Because she "accepts no blame" for Eva/Daisy's death. She is the same as her husband in that respect. She doesn't face up to her responsibility and she hasn't learnt anything from the Inspector's visit.
11 of 12
Find two quotes that show Mrs Birling doesn't feel socially responsible.
"I accept no blame" "I've done nothing wrong" "We can all go on behaving just as we did[...] Why shouldn't we?" "They'll be as amused as we are""
12 of 12

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How does Sybil represent wrath (anger)?

Back

Mrs Birling shows anger when Eva Smith uses her name, in what she believes is a spiteful way. She doesn't like anyone using her name without good reason. She is prejudiced against her case purely because she uses the Birling name. She is furious.

Card 3

Front

Find two quotes that tell us that she is angry with Eva.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How is Mrs Birling cold?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Find at least two quotes that tell us Sybil is cold.

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar English Literature resources:

See all English Literature resources »See all An Inspector Calls resources »