Mrs Birling is a typical upper class woman during the early 1900s that has a strong adherence to convention and the social systems. One can see that Mrs Birling has high expectations of those around her and anything that she dislikes she describes as “impertinent” and “offensive” to her way of life. Perhaps, Priestley uses Mrs Birling to show that she is product of Victorian upper classes, as they strongly believe that people should act in a certain way.
Sybil also has strong feelings about the social classes and she feels that she is above “girls of that sort” such as Eva Smith or cook. For instance, when Birling asks to thank the cook for the meal she reminds him “that you shouldn’t say such things”. Moreover, one can infer that Mrs Birling believes in the hierarchy and thinks that she is above all of the maids, cooks and working class.
Additionally, Mrs Birling was prejudice against Eva Smith because she “wasn’t satisfied” with the girl’s claim. It presents that Mrs Birling enjoys using her power over “girls of the class” to choose their fate. It is clear that Mrs Birling is self absorbed and like her husband doesn’t believe in “community”. Similarly, Mrs Birling fails to realise that it is her “duty” to help girls that come to her and not turn them away because they were “unsatisfied.”
Mrs Birling is egotistical, as she thinks that she is too self-important to answer any of the Inspector’s questions. She doesn’t believe that it is the Inspector’s “business”. Priestley conveys, Mrs Birling to be too self-absorbed to realise that she has a greater duty to adhere to her responsibilities to the community. Moreover, Priestley conveys that she cares more about there being a “public scandal” than about the girl’s death.
Mrs Birling can be seen as cold hearted, unsympathetic and hypocritical character. For example, even though she is “pleased” and a “proud” member of the Women’s Charity Organisation, it is ironic as she does it more for her own reputation than helping girl’s who are in need. Mrs Birling is the type of character who wants to make her charity work known so that it looks good on the family. Mrs Birling is therefore hypocritical as she may be the chair of the charity, but she has little sympathy for the girl’s cases.
Mrs Birling seems to know very little about her family, and like her husband take little interest in keeping a “cosy” or “homelike” household. She would rather sustain her reputation than spend time looking after her children. For example, one can infer that she knows little about Eric as she failed to see that Eric was a heavy drinker. Thus, it shows that even though a family like the Birling’s have a “substantial” and wealthy lifestyle, they are not a warm family.
Mrs Birling is a typical woman of the older generation who doesn’t believe in responsibility. She regularly tells Sheila and Eric off for admitting responsibility. Sybil is the type of character who will “build up a wall” to avoid taking any responsibility. It is her who accuses the “father” to be the problem of the girl’s suicide. Sybil sees the Inspector as presenting a “wretched business” and an “undeserving case”, therefore she shows little interest.
In conclusion, Priestly conveys Mrs Birling as a typical woman who grew up during the Victorian period. She has a strong adherence to convention, although very little morality. She is the most hypocritical character as she is “not ashamed” of her actions and even as chair of a charity committee has little sympathy for “girls of that sort”.