Sybil Birling

• What is Sybil Birling proud of?

  Her social status
• What does Sybil Birling prioritize over moral guides?

  Her traditional values
• How does Sybil Birling's sense of social status affect her behavior?

  It makes her prejudiced
• What action does Sybil take to preserve her son's status?

  She prevents Eric from marrying a lower class girl
• Who is Sybil Birling's husband?

  Mr. Birling
• How is Sybil Birling described in relation to Mr. Birling?

  She is his "social superior"
• What does Sybil's social status provide her with?

  A sense of power
• How does Sybil use her knowledge of Mr. Birling's social status?

  She uses it against him in a strong and direct way
• Does Sybil consider her family to have lower manners?

  No, she does not
• How does Sybil feel about her social standing?

  She isn't ashamed of it
• What does Sybil's warning to the Inspector indicate?

  She has some power to influence him
• How do Sybil's social standards affect her view of lower-class people?

  She is prejudiced against them
• What trap does Sybil walk into during the Inspector's questioning?

  She reveals who she blames for Eva Smith's suicide
• Who does Sybil blame for Eva Smith's suicide?

  The father of the unborn child
• What does Sybil demand from her son regarding his actions?

  That he should confess publicly
• How is Mrs. Birling characterized in terms of her emotional state?

  She is self-controlled
• What does Mrs. Birling fail to notice about Gerald?

  His loss of control over his emotions
• What does Mrs. Birling's statement "I accept no blame for it at all" indicate?

  She won't accept responsibility for her actions
• What does Mrs. Birling regret after the Inspector's visit?

  Not having asked him a few questions
• How does Mrs. Birling's language reflect her character?

  It is polite but severe and superior
• What does Mrs. Birling repeatedly claim about her knowledge of the situation?

  She knew it was a lie months ago
• What does Mrs. Birling's behavior in the closing moments of the play suggest?

  She has almost put it all behind her
• What are the key characteristics of Sybil Birling's personality?

  • Proud of her social status
  • Holds traditional values over moral guides
  • Prejudiced against lower classes
  • Self-controlled and unyielding
  • Refuses to accept responsibility
• What are the implications of Mrs. Birling's social prejudices?

  • Reflects her strict social standards
  • Leads to her inability to empathize with others
  • Influences her actions and decisions throughout the play
  • Shows her desire to maintain social superiority
• How does Sybil Birling's character contribute to the themes of the play?

  • Represents the upper class's moral failings
  • Highlights the consequences of social prejudice
  • Illustrates the conflict between social status and personal responsibility