Mrs Birling
Sybil Birling is presented as quite an ignorant character in An Inspector Calls.
She knows nothing about her on son (Eric’s) alcohol addiction and his
relationship with Eva (which resulted in her pregnancy), nor is she aware of
Alderman Meggarty’s sexual attacks on young women. This is used by J. B.
Priestley to emphasise the selfish ignorance and narcissistic nature of
capitalists.
When Mrs Birling is confronted with the truth about her son’s behaviours, she
refuses to believe it: “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it..”. This suggests that
she wilfully makes herself ignorant to the behaviours of her family, so that she
can continue to uphold her bigoted and prejudiced views.
Mrs Birling is the last person to see Eva and potentially be a source of help,
preventing her from committing suicide. She is often the character that is
blamed the most; however, Priestley may have used her last to represent the
“safety net” that society should provide to the poor. In 1912, welfare was often
left to charities run by wealthy, prejudiced women in order to provide a means
of financial support. Here, Priestley may be criticising this-showing that
charities cannot be expected to provide the final means of financial support
and that he wants a change to the system. In 1945, when the play was written,
the Welfare State had just been introduced where the government became
responsible for the welfare of the poor, which was more in line with Priestley’s
socialist beliefs.
Mrs Birling reflects a generation that is hypocritical and ready to blame
others. She lays the blame for Eva’s death on the father and claims that he
should ‘be made an example of’. She also represents the rigid attitudes to
change, and social responsibility presented by the older generation in the play;
and is quick to feel relieved of responsibility once the Inspector leaves and his
identity is thought to be a hoax.
Quote Bank:
‘I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it.’
‘Girls of that class.’
‘I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him’.
‘You’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did’.
‘She only had herself to blame.’
Sybil Birling is presented as quite an ignorant character in An Inspector Calls.
She knows nothing about her on son (Eric’s) alcohol addiction and his
relationship with Eva (which resulted in her pregnancy), nor is she aware of
Alderman Meggarty’s sexual attacks on young women. This is used by J. B.
Priestley to emphasise the selfish ignorance and narcissistic nature of
capitalists.
When Mrs Birling is confronted with the truth about her son’s behaviours, she
refuses to believe it: “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it..”. This suggests that
she wilfully makes herself ignorant to the behaviours of her family, so that she
can continue to uphold her bigoted and prejudiced views.
Mrs Birling is the last person to see Eva and potentially be a source of help,
preventing her from committing suicide. She is often the character that is
blamed the most; however, Priestley may have used her last to represent the
“safety net” that society should provide to the poor. In 1912, welfare was often
left to charities run by wealthy, prejudiced women in order to provide a means
of financial support. Here, Priestley may be criticising this-showing that
charities cannot be expected to provide the final means of financial support
and that he wants a change to the system. In 1945, when the play was written,
the Welfare State had just been introduced where the government became
responsible for the welfare of the poor, which was more in line with Priestley’s
socialist beliefs.
Mrs Birling reflects a generation that is hypocritical and ready to blame
others. She lays the blame for Eva’s death on the father and claims that he
should ‘be made an example of’. She also represents the rigid attitudes to
change, and social responsibility presented by the older generation in the play;
and is quick to feel relieved of responsibility once the Inspector leaves and his
identity is thought to be a hoax.
Quote Bank:
‘I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it.’
‘Girls of that class.’
‘I was the only one of you who didn’t give in to him’.
‘You’re quite wrong to suppose I shall regret what I did’.
‘She only had herself to blame.’
