Mrs Birling

[about fifty, a rather cold woman and her husband's social superior] stage direction Act 1

-This is how Priestley introduces Sybil Birling at the start of the play

-Adjective - "cold" - Describes her emotional distance and lack of compassion. Foreshadows her harsh treatment of Eva Smith later in the play, where she shows no remorse for her role in the girl's death.

-"About fifty": Gives a neutral age marker, but it also places her as part of the older generation, which Priestley criticises for being resistant to change.

-"Cold": A sharp, judgemental adjective — evokes a lack of empathy and warmth. It prepares the audience to mistrust or dislike her.

-"Social superior": Not just about wealth — it implies attitude and behaviour. Mrs. Birling likely sees herself as above others, including the Inspector.

"Arthur, you're not supposed to say such things" Act 1

-Mr. Birling has just made a joking or boastful remark at the dinner table — possibly about something inappropriate, lower class, or lacking in social grace. Mrs. Birling quickly corrects him, reinforcing the expectations of upper-class decorum.

-Direct Address - "Arthur" - She uses his first name in a firm tone, which highlights her role as the dominant figure in their relationship. Shows she isn't afraid to correct him publicly — a reversal of traditional gender roles at the time.

-"Not supposed": Suggests rules of behaviour, possibly unwritten, especially those linked to class and appearances.

-"Such things": Vague but judgmental — she doesn't even say what "things" means, implying that even mentioning them is improper.

"what an expression Sheila, really the things you girls pick up these days" Act 1

-This is said during a light, celebratory moment — likely after Sheila says something informal or slangy. Mrs. Birling immediately disapproves, showing her desire to police language and behaviour.

-Exclamatory Language - "What an expression, Sheila!"

The exclamation shows her shock or disapproval. It's a form of social correction, emphasizing her concern with how women — especially young, upper-class women — should behave.

Collective Noun - "you girls" - Generalises the behaviour of all young women, suggesting Mrs. Birling sees the younger generation as improper or lacking manners. Shows a disconnect and lack of understanding between generations.

-Expression": Focuses on speech and outward appearance — part of the upper-class obsession with image over substance.

"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" Act 1

-Mrs. Birling is speaking to Sheila after Sheila jokingly or suspiciously questions Gerald's absence. Rather than encouraging open discussion, Mrs. Birling shuts it down by reinforcing traditional marriage roles.

- Conditional Clause - "When you're married - Assumes marriage will make Sheila more accepting or submissive, reinforcing traditional female roles. Suggests Sheila's current thoughts are naïve or immature — a patronising tone.

-Tricolon - "time and energy on their business" Emphasises how completely men are expected to focus on work, not emotion. Reinforces the belief that emotional needs — especially of women — are less important

-"Important": Adds weight to the man's role, justifying neglect in personal relationships.

"I think Sheila and I had better go into the drawing room and leave you men" Act 1

-This is said during the Birling family's celebratory dinner before the Inspector arrives.

-Collective Pronouns - "you men" / "we" Reinforces the division between genders: women are grouped together and removed from serious matters. Highlights how men and women are seen as having separate roles — men as thinkers/leaders, women as quiet and decorative.

-"Drawing room": Symbol of upper-class leisure and separation from male business and responsibility.

-"Leave": Suggests women remove themselves from important discussions — they are excluded from power.

Summary - Mrs Birling at the start:

-Cold and socially superior

-Obsessed with class and appearence

-Patronising toward her daughter and lower class people

-Represents the rigid upper-class values Priestley criticises

-Blind to her own flaws, beliving shes morally right

"I beg your pardon" Act 2

-Mrs. Birling says this in response to something the Inspector or another character says that offends or shocks her.

-Irony - The phrase is formally polite, but in context it's often cold and confrontational. Shows how the upper classes use decorum and politeness as a weapon — hiding rudeness behind manners.

- disruption - Functions almost like a caesura in speech — it breaks the flow, emphasising a power struggle or discomfort.

It momentarily halts the conversation, forcing others to explain or backtrack

-"Pardon": She's demanding respect, not offering it — it's about reasserting control, not forgiveness.

"Unlike the other three, I did nothing I'm ashamed of" Act 2

-Said after Mrs. Birling is confronted by the Inspector about her refusal to help Eva Smith, who had come to her charity for support. She completely denies responsibility, deflects blame, and fails to show remorse.

-Juxtaposition - She sets herself apart from her family, claiming moral superiority. Creates a divide and shows her lack of unity or empathy, even within her own household.

-Dramatic Irony - The audience knows she played a key role in Eva's death — so her self-righteousness is deeply ironic and infuriating. It builds tension and frustration, aligning the audience against her

-"Ashamed": Ironically, she should feel ashamed — her use of the word highlights her lack of conscience.

-"Unlike the other three": A smug, distancing phrase that highlights her superiority complex and judgmental attitude.

"As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!" Act 2

-Mrs. Birling is describing Eva Smith (aka Daisy Renton), after learning that she refused stolen money from Eric. She is in disbelief that someone from a lower class would act with integrity, exposing her classist assumptions.

-Dismissive Tone - "That sort" The phrase dehumanises Eva, lumping her into a stereotype rather than seeing her as an individual. Shows how Mrs. Birling sees working-class women as morally inferior or greedy.

-Exclamatory Sentence - The exclamation indicates shock and disgust, emphasising how out-of-touch and judgmental Mrs. Birling is.

-Dramatic Irony - The audience knows Eva acted with honour by refusing stolen money — this makes Mrs. Birling look even more cold and ignorant.

"You know, my husband was Lord Mayor only two years ago and that he's still a magistrate" Act 2

-Said when Mrs. Birling is trying to assert power over the Inspector, feeling threatened by his questioning. She uses her husband's former status and current legal authority to intimidate him — expecting respect and obedience.

-Name-Dropping / Authority Appeal

Refers to her husband's roles — "Lord Mayor" and "magistrate" to assert dominance. A form of appeal to authority, showing her belief that status equals immunity from blame.

-Entitlement and Pride - The tone suggests arrogance and entitlement, assuming the Inspector will back off because of her connections.

Irony - The audience knows the Inspector doesn't care about status — he's there to deliver moral judgement, not legal.

"She only had herself to blame" Act 2

-Mrs. Birling says this after learning that Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) used the name "Birling" and came to her charity for help. Instead of assisting her, Mrs. Birling judged her harshly and denied supportMrs. Birling says this after learning that Eva Smith (Daisy Renton) used the name "Birling" and came to her charity for help. Instead of assisting her, Mrs. Birling judged her harshly and denied support

-Short Declarative Sentence - The blunt, final nature of the sentence reflects Mrs. Birling's firm conviction and emotional detachment. It shuts down any conversation, showing her refusal to self-reflect.

-Dramatic Irony - The audience knows that Eva was a victim of a chain of actions by the Birlings and Gerald. Mrs. Birling's statement seems cruel and unjust, enhancing the audience's sympathy for Eva and criticism of the older generation

"Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility" Act 2

-At this moment, she coldly shifts blame for Eva's situation without knowing her own son Eric is the father.

-Imperative verb - "Go and look" shows her demanding, dismissive tone, as she refuses to take responsibility.

-Short, declarative sentences - Her speech is blunt and authoritative, showing lack of empathy and emotional detachment.

-Irony - Dramatic irony is created because the audience knows (or will soon discover) that Eric is the father, making her statement hypocritical and ironic.

Summary - Mrs Birling in the middle

-Still refuses to take blame

-Judgemental and classist

-Shows no compassion for Eva smith

-Thinks poor people are below her

-Priestley uses her to show how the upper class fails to recognise its own curelty

"[with a cry] Oh, Eric, how could you?"

Act 3

-This is said after the devastating revelation that Eric is the father of Eva Smith's unborn child. Mrs. Birling, who had earlier coldly dismissed Eva's request for charity help — unaware that Eva was pregnant with her own grandchild

-Exclamatory Sentence Shows heightened emotion and a sense of betrayal. The exclamation indicates her instinctive, personal reaction, not moral reflection or guilt.

- Rhetorical Question - "How could you?"

Expresses a mix of disbelief and blame, as if she sees Eric's actions as incomprehensible. Also deflects responsibility: rather than owning her own role in Eva's downfall, she targets Eric.

-"Oh": A spontaneous emotional outburst — conveys her shock and personal distress.

-"How could you?": Suggests betrayal, but also reveals self-centeredness — she's more hurt by her son's actions than concerned about Eva's fate.

"I was the only one of you who didn't give in to him" Act 3

-After the Inspector leaves, the older generation (Mr. and Mrs. Birling) begin downplaying their actions because they believe the Inspector may not have been real

-First Person Pronoun - "I" - Shows her self-centeredness and obsession with her own image. She's not reflecting on the victim (Eva), but on how she appeared during the interrogation.

- Emotive Phrase - "didn't give in" - Suggests she sees the Inspector's questioning as a battle of wills rather than a moral examination. Implies resistance is a virtue, even in the face of wrongdoing.

- Tone of Pride - The sentence has a boastful tone, which contrasts with the gravity of Eva Smith's death. Shows her lack of remorse and emotional disconnect

"In the morning they'll be as amused as we are" Act 3

-This is said after the Inspector leaves, and the Birlings begin to convince themselves that the events weren't real

-Dramatic Irony - The audience knows Eva's suffering was real and the Inspector's message was serious — Mr. Birling's comment seems shallow and ignorant, making him appear foolish and out of touch.

- Future Tense - "they'll be" - Shows Mr. Birling's confidence and certainty, even though he is wrong — this reflects his arrogance and refusal to accept reality

-"Amused" - Implies laughter and entertainment, which is a deeply inappropriate response to a girl's suicide. Shows emotional detachment. "We" - Reveals his alignment with those who share his views (Mrs. Birling, perhaps Gerald), reinforcing the generational divide.

Summary - Mrs Birling at the end

-Refuses to accept any blame

-Obsessed with status and appearance

-Lacks empathy, remains cold and proud

-Uses the idea of a hoax to avoid change

-Priestley uses her to symbolise the unchanging upper class who ignore social responsibilities