GCSE English Literature

Mrs Birling Quotes5 essential quotes with full analysis.

Complete collection of Mrs Birling's most important quotes for GCSE English Literature, showcasing her class prejudice and refusal to accept responsibility.

About Sybil Birling

Sybil Birling is Arthur's wife and a prominent member of the Brumley Women's Charity Organization. Despite her charitable position, she is cold, snobbish, and deeply prejudiced against the working class. She refused to help Eva Smith because Eva had used the name “Mrs Birling,” which Sybil considered an insult.

Mrs Birling is perhaps the most unsympathetic character in the play. She shows no remorse for her actions and refuses to accept any responsibility, even after discovering that the “young man” she condemned was her own son Eric. She represents the moral bankruptcy of the upper class and the older generation's refusal to change.

Class PrejudiceOlder GenerationHypocrisyDramatic IronyDenial

All Mrs Birling Quotes

“I'll tell you what I told her. Go and look for the father of the child. It's his responsibility.”
Mrs BirlingAct 2
HypocrisyClass PrejudiceDramatic Irony

Context: Mrs Birling reveals she turned Eva away from charity because Eva claimed to be married to a "Mr Birling."

Analysis

Mrs Birling unknowingly condemns her own son. The dramatic irony creates tension - the audience realizes Eric is the father before she does. Her repeated deflection of "responsibility" onto others exposes her hypocrisy. She uses morality selectively to punish those below her class.

Language Techniques:

Dramatic ironyDramatic tensionHypocrisy

Exam Tip

One of the most powerful moments of dramatic irony. Shows how she condemns others while protecting her family.

“As if a girl of that sort would ever refuse money!”
Mrs Birling
Class PrejudiceSnobberyMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling dismisses the suggestion that Eva refused Eric's stolen money.

Analysis

"That sort" reveals her dehumanizing class prejudice - Eva is reduced to a type, not a person. The exclamation shows certainty in her prejudice. Mrs Birling cannot imagine moral integrity in a working-class woman. Ironically, Eva had more moral sense than the Birlings.

Language Techniques:

Class markersExclamationDramatic irony

Exam Tip

Eva's moral superiority contrasts with Mrs Birling's snobbery. Shows how class blinds people to others' humanity.

“Girls of that class”
Mrs Birling
Class PrejudiceDehumanization

Context: Mrs Birling repeatedly uses dismissive language about Eva Smith.

Analysis

The phrase reduces Eva to her class, denying her individuality. "That" creates distance, while "class" shows she views society as rigidly stratified. Mrs Birling cannot see working-class people as fully human. This attitude enabled her cruel treatment of Eva.

Language Techniques:

Class markersDehumanizing languageDemonstrative pronoun

Exam Tip

Mrs Birling represents entrenched upper-class attitudes. She refuses to change throughout the play.

“I did nothing I'm ashamed of”
Mrs BirlingAct 2
DenialPrideMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling defends her refusal to help Eva.

Analysis

The complete lack of shame reveals Mrs Birling's moral bankruptcy. She genuinely believes her cruelty was justified. Unlike Sheila who feels ashamed, Mrs Birling cannot recognise her wrongdoing. This makes her the play's least sympathetic character.

Language Techniques:

NegationSelf-justificationIrony

Exam Tip

Mrs Birling never changes. Her pride prevents any moral growth.

“I was the only one of you who didn't give in to him”
Mrs Birling
PrideStubbornnessMoral Blindness

Context: Mrs Birling boasts about resisting the Inspector.

Analysis

Mrs Birling sees resistance to the Inspector as strength, not moral failure. "Give in" frames accepting responsibility as weakness. She remains proud of her cruelty. Priestley shows that some people are incapable of change - a warning to the audience.

Language Techniques:

Self-congratulationIrony

Exam Tip

What she sees as strength, the audience sees as stubbornness and cruelty.

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