Sybil (Mrs Birling)

• Perfect Thesis

  Mrs. Birling is a living symbol of the social elite – in particular, women who uphold

  patriarchal values. She reveals the social pressures of being an upper class woman.

  Matriarch living within a patriarchal society.
• "Girls of that class" - 


  “Girls” – Sybil objectifies and dehumanises working class women effectively through her language. She thinks that working class women are naturally immature and in need of civilising.
• • "A girl of that sort would never refuse money"


  Determiner “that” highlights the social detachment; this could explain why she is so belittling towards them. Patronising and condescending tone.

  Ouspenky’s Theory of Recurrence (mother/daughter relationships). Mrs Birling crafts a very specific stereotype of Eva – desperate and petulant. Priestley targets the moral hypocrisy within the Upper Classes.
• "Naturally, it was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case" (Pt 1)


  “prejudiced” double-meaning; it means to rule out and make a decision or to judge someone based on their upbringing.

  “Case” – Sybil believes Eva is a problem that needs to be fixed; a defect in society. An object to be scrutinised and studied.
• "Naturally, it was one of the things that prejudiced me against her case" (Pt 2)


  A Sybil in Greek Mythology were prophetesses that had the gift of foresight. Used ironically because she cannot see her family collapsing around her; Eric being the perpetrator. Older generations resistant to social change, find it uncomfortable; younger generations embrace social change.
• "You're behaving like a hysterical child tonight, Sheila"


  “hysterical” – hysteria was originally a medical condition that only women suffered from; womb could control the woman’s mood. Pseudo-science. Sybil sees the world through the lens of patriarchy; uses that language. By comparing Sheila to a child she is deliberately preventing her growth.
• "(Triumphantly) Didn't I tell you?"

  “Triumphantly” – Sybil is delusional, she

  sees the world through the “pink” lighting. Microcosm of political struggle between

  socialism and capitalism; two polarised, warring forces.
• "Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things"


  Declaratives throughout the play to subtly suggest that she is head of the family;

  asserting power over her husband. Mr Birling is nouveau rich and needs to be

  reminded of the etiquette of the class system; are they in a dysfunctional marriage

  too? “things” highlight her own avoidance and dismissiveness. Being a man allowed

  for social mobility (work up the classes). “Drawing room” was a separate sphere for

  men to discuss business engagements, but also live double-lives.