We often do it on the young ones they're more impressionable

• Analysis

  Sybil’s cruelty is framed as a result of her capitalist upbringing, capitalism is a thing of nature to her, suggesting her beliefs are shaped by societal norms rather than personal choice. Her rigid conservative views are a product of indoctrination, making them unchangeable
• Writers intention

  Her coldness may stem from personal suffering and repression, with the text noting, she’s cold in nature, as a consequence of the discrimination she has faced in life. Sybil's harsh demeanour could be a survival mechanism, coping with her powerlessness in a patriarchal system.
• Themes

  Capitalism and Indoctrination: Sybil’s adherence to capitalist ideology is shown as a product of societal conditioning

  Gender and Power: Her emotional detachment is tied to gender inequality, with her personal desires suppressed by patriarchal structures

  Generational Hope: Priestley contrasts Sybil’s inflexibility with the youth’s potential for change, showing hope in a new socialist world driven by the younger generation
• Writers intention

  Priestley critiques the oppressive systems of capitalism and patriarchy through Sybil’s character. Her inability to change reflects the entrenched power structures, while the hope for societal reform lies in the youth, who are portrayed as more impressionable and capable of transformation