mrs birling

• Who is Mrs Birling married to?

  Mr Birling
• Who are the children of Mrs Birling?

  Eric and Sheila
• What public role does Mrs Birling hold?

  She sits on the council for charity organisations
• How does Priestley use Mrs Birling as a symbol?

  To represent upper-class hypocrisy and need for welfare
• How is Mrs Birling described in the stage directions?

  As "about fifty, a rather cold woman"
• What does Mrs Birling's character reveal about her nature?

  She is unsympathetic and individualistic
• What does Mrs Birling perceive about the working classes?

  She sees them as inferior
• How does Priestley depict domestic life in the early 20th Century?

  Through Mrs Birling's reluctance to challenge her husband
• What was the convention for women after dinner at the time?

  To go to the drawing room while men stayed
• Who initiates the exit from the dining room?

  Mrs Birling announces it is time to leave
• What does Mrs Birling's commitment to the patriarchal status quo lead to?

  Her complicity in her own oppression
• How does Mrs Birling view marriage?

  As a means for financial security and status
• How does Mrs Birling react to Gerald's affair?

  She shows indifference towards it
• What does Priestley imply about Mrs Birling's cold nature?

  It is irrational and unnatural
• How does Mrs Birling respond to Sheila's distress?

  She is unsympathetic towards her
• What does Mrs Birling believe about the nature of marriage?

  It is a transaction rather than love
• How does Mrs Birling view men's sexual desires?

  They should be accepted and satisfied
• What does Mrs Birling think about Eva's suicide?

  She believes it is Eva's own fault
• How does Mrs Birling view working-class women?

  She thinks they choose prostitution voluntarily
• What is Mrs Birling's reaction to the Inspector's message?

  She rejects the idea of collective responsibility
• How does Mrs Birling perceive displays of emotion?

  As a sign of weakness
• How does Mrs Birling dismiss Sheila's emotions?

  By calling her a hysterical child
• What does Mrs Birling think about the suffrage movement?

  She sees it as undermining traditional gender roles
• How does Mrs Birling view her role in society?

  She believes women should exclude themselves from politics
• What does Mrs Birling's privilege allow her to do?

  To resist societal change
• How does Mrs Birling feel about her husband's origins?

  She is somewhat ashamed of them
• What does Priestley suggest about the Birling marriage?

  It is arranged like a transaction
• How does Mrs Birling respond to Sheila's discomfort about Gerald's affair?

  She accepts it as something to get used to
• How does Sheila's attitude change throughout the play?

  She rejects her mother's manipulation
• What does Sheila's rejection of the word "impertinent" signify?

  Her growth and independence from her mother
• How does Mrs Birling contrast with Sheila?

  Mrs Birling symbolizes conservatism, Sheila progressivism
• What does Mrs Birling do when confronted with responsibility?

  She deflects blame onto Eric
• How does Mrs Birling react to the Inspector's authority?

  She is outraged and dismissive
• What does Mrs Birling think about Eva's plea for help?

  She sees it as gross impertinence
• How does Mrs Birling express her contempt for Eva?

  By dismissing her suffering as absurd
• How does Mrs Birling view her children's behavior?

  She is more concerned with their social status
• What does Mrs Birling say about Eric's punishment?

  He should be made an example of
• How does Mrs Birling react to the truth about Eric's involvement?

  She refuses to believe it
• What does Eric's response to his mother reveal?

  He feels ashamed of her behavior
• How does Mrs Birling's attitude towards responsibility manifest?

  She remains unsympathetic and unrepentant