Mrs (Sybil) Birling

Key: stage direction quotes

• ‘husband’s social superior’, ‘cold’ - marries for money - hypocritical, no authority (Mr Birling is the paterfamilias)

• No respect for the inspector - lies and intimidates

• Deny things that she doesn’t want to believe in - Gerald’s affair, working girl would refuse (stolen) money, Eric’s drinking

• ‘Girls of that class’ - stereotypes, dismissive of poor people,

• Snob - doesn’t compliment cook

• Patronises children

• No blame or regret - ‘I did nothing I’m ashamed of’

• prejudice - ‘She was giving herself ridiculous airs’

• Think she’s right

• Doesn’t learn from her mistakes