Sybil Birling: Key Quotations

• “When you're married you'll realise that men with important work to do sometimes have to spend nearly all their time and energy on their business. You'll have to get used to that, just as I had”

  • Sybil Birling, Act 1
• What the quotation means: Sybil Birling tells Sheila that she must not complain and suggests that Sheila should get used to Gerald focusing on business. Theme:Gender
• • Priestley illustrates the patriarchal system in 1912 through Sybil and Sheila Birling:
  • Sheila’s mother perpetuates gender norms before suffrage 
  • She teaches Sheila that her husband is superior and to submit to him  
  • She implies that Gerald’s work is more important than his marriage
• • In fact, Eric is the only one to protest:
  • He laughs and questions their interest in Sheila’s happiness
• “I think it was simply a piece of gross impertinence — quite deliberate — and naturally that was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case” 

  • Sybil Birling, Act 2
• What the quotation means: Sybil Birling tells the Inspector that she judged Eva as intentionally disrespectful when she asked her charity for help with the pregnancy, and this is why she was refused. Theme: Class
• • Sybil Birling is presented as an arrogant and snobbish upper class woman:
  • Her proud determination makes her confidently admit her prejudice
  • She believes it disrespectful for Eva to have used the Birling name
• • Priestley humiliates Sybil Birling for her hypocritical and indignant pride:
  • Her insistence that the father of the child should take responsibility is met with shock when she is told that the father is Eric
• “I was the only one of you who didn't give in to him. And now I say we must discuss this business quietly and sensibly” 

  • Sybil Birling, Act 3
• What the quotation means: Sybil Birling expresses pride at not having changed as a result of the Inspector’s visit, and wants to resume their ordered world. Theme: Responsibility
• • Mrs Birling’s pride at her inability to change illustrates her continued sense of superiority:
  • Her wish to return to calm implies that she prefers to ignore issues
  • The phrase, “give in” implies an admission of wrongdoing is an undignified submission
• • Priestley challenges conservativism via a depiction of the parents’ refusal to change:
  • Sheila and Eric are emboldened by accepting new information 
  • But the parents dismiss the Inspector in favour of traditional attitudes