Mrs Birling

• girls of that class - blame and responsibility


  dismisses lower class as aggregate inferior group that behave in the same way - ties blame to social class as she bases understanding of morality on position in class system - collective noun 'girls' belittles Eva and social group, has connotations of feebleness and immaturity
• I consider I did my duty - blame and responsibility 


  noun 'duty' is a tool to explore disparity the perspectives of capitalists and socialists - for capitalists, upholding class system was paramount thus for sybil, her duty may be to uphold the class gap by refusing eva's help
• I won't believe it - blame and responsibility


  incapable of addressing her own or her family's wrongdoing - suggests her ignorance and blindness is a deliberate choice extending from selective belief
• sheila! what an espression! really, the things you girls pick up these days - older vs younger generation


  exposes superficially driven codes of conduct (cares more about etiquette than morality).- opposed to sheikhs use of colloquial language as its an emblem of progressive younger generation that challenge her beliefs - 'girl' belittles sheila and dismisses her behaviour and portray her as foolish or uncouth - reinforces separation between older generation (robust to new thinking) and younger generation (vulnerable to 'picking' them up like a disease)
• he's only a boy - older vs younger generation


  diminutive noun 'boy' is emotive as she is trying to evoke pity for him
• what's the matter with chat child? - older vs younger generation


  absolves Eric from his behaviour - example of dramatic irony as we know he is far from innocent
• (distressed) no- Eric- please- I didn't know- I didn't understand- - guilt


  portrays how she would've behaved differently if she had been aware of circumstances pleading to Eric - verb 'understand' is pivotal to depict how subjective welfare organisations are set to fail - should be implemented by objective government body - stage directions 'distressed' show unfamiliarity with being put under social scrutiny and has been conditioned to be a member of untouchable upper class
• I was the only one who didn't give in to him - guilt


  expected guilt is supplemented for unorthodox feelings of pride at notion of not conceding to guilt - overt selfishness is apparent through boastful attitude to being immune to guilt - amplifies suggestion that she represents cardinal sin of pride (AIC is a morality play)