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.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Sybil Birling canonical 10

How this entity was disambiguated

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
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
Sheila Birling
conflictWith Inspector Goole
Sheila Birling
creator J. B. Priestley
dramaticFunction embodies upper-class complacency
illustrates denial of social responsibility
represents Edwardian class hypocrisy
familyName Birling
linked to: Birling and Company
firstPerformanceOfWork 1945
gender female
givenName Sybil
ideology anti-socialist
languageStyle formal
patronising
medium stage play
memberOf Brumley Women’s Charity Organisation
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
relationshipToInspector hostile
responsibilityFor contributing to Eva Smith’s downfall
roleInWork matriarch of the Birling family
settingOfActivity Brumley
socialClass upper class
spouse Arthur Birling
stageRole supporting but pivotal character
symbolizes entrenched privilege
moral blindness of the upper classes
themeAssociation class
gender
social responsibility
timePeriod Edwardian era

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (10)

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

Inspector Goole interrogates Sybil Birling
Brumley associatedWithCharacter Sybil Birling
Arthur Birling spouse Sybil Birling
Eric Birling hasMother Sybil Birling
Eric Birling contrastsWith Sybil Birling
Eric Birling hasDialogueWith Sybil Birling
Sheila Birling relative Sybil Birling
Sheila Birling parent Sybil Birling
Sheila Birling contrastsWith Sybil Birling