Sybil Birling

E863464

Sybil Birling is a central character in J.B. Priestley’s play "An Inspector Calls," portrayed as a wealthy, socially conservative matriarch whose rigid moralism and denial of responsibility highlight the play’s critique of class and hypocrisy.

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Label Occurrences
Sybil Birling canonical 1

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf fictional character
theatrical character
adaptedIn film adaptations of An Inspector Calls
television adaptations of An Inspector Calls
appearsIn An Inspector Calls NERFINISHED
attitude disapproves of Sheila’s engagement being questioned
looks down on lower-class people
rejects the Inspector’s message of collective responsibility
characterTrait authoritarian
cold
hypocritical
self-righteous
snobbish
socially conservative
child Eric Birling NERFINISHED
Sheila Birling NERFINISHED
conflictWith Inspector Goole NERFINISHED
Sheila Birling NERFINISHED
creator J. B. Priestley NERFINISHED
dramaticFunction embodies upper-class complacency
illustrates denial of social responsibility
represents Edwardian class hypocrisy
familyName Birling NERFINISHED
firstPerformanceOfWork 1945
gender female
givenName Sybil NERFINISHED
ideology anti-socialist
languageStyle formal
patronising
medium stage play
memberOf Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation NERFINISHED
moralArc shows little remorse by the end of the play
nationality British
occupation society hostess
plotInvolvement denies aid to Eva Smith at the charity committee
relationshipToEvaSmith charity applicant she refused GENERATED
relationshipToInspector hostile GENERATED
responsibilityFor contributing to Eva Smith’s downfall
roleInWork matriarch of the Birling family
settingOfActivity Brumley NERFINISHED
socialClass upper class
spouse Arthur Birling NERFINISHED
stageRole supporting but pivotal character
symbolizes entrenched privilege
moral blindness of the upper classes
themeAssociation class
gender
social responsibility
timePeriod Edwardian era NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.