Sheila Flashcards
1
Q
how were women treated in 1912
A
- couldn’t vote
- couldn’t be independent from their parents except through marriage
- no political voice or social power
2
Q
what is the significance of Sheila saying “not yet” to Gerald’s request to “start again” at the end of the play
A
- It shows Sheila’s growth and independence: Earlier in the play, Sheila was portrayed as a young and somewhat naive girl who was heavily influenced by her parents’ opinions and beliefs. However, as the play progresses, Sheila becomes increasingly independent and assertive. Her refusal to immediately reconcile with Gerald shows that she is not willing to simply forgive and forget, and that she is capable of making her own decisions
- However, It suggests a hopeful future: Although Sheila does not immediately forgive Gerald, her use of the phrase “not yet” implies that there is still a chance for them to reconcile in the future. And considering that women had no independence from their parents unless they married, and Sheila was somewhat trying to break from the restricted mindsets of her parents, her only choice would’ve been to forgive Gerald and marry
3
Q
Why was the play performed in 1945 (link to women)
A
- just before the general election, and women at home can vote, and they have had a totally different life from Sheila, as they have grown up in a society where they have learned to be able to vote and have had that permission since 1928
- over a million have been allowed to work for the first time during ww2 and dont want to lose that independence when the soldiers came back, as after the first world war, thats exactly what happened
- in 1912, Sheila cannot become independent from her parents. she doesnt have professional education, and even if she went to university, there wouldve been hardly any roles available to her, so the only way to gain independence was through marriage
4
Q
what is the importance of the ending in regards to Sheila
A
- Gerald wants to get married again and passes the ring back to her and offers to start again. she doesnt just say no, but rather “not yet” , strongly suggests that society, as sheila has no political voice, and no social power, that marrying would be the only option she has to escape her parents lives and influence
- even though shes 24, her parents still call her a child, treated in an infantile way
5
Q
the patriarchal society context - Sheila
A
- a society controlled by men for men
- because she lives in a patriarchy and cannot achieve independence on her own, the second death of Eva happens
- Priestley may be suggesting that if Eric and Sheila learnt a lesson in 1912 and been able to have an influence on society after 1912, then, the second death wouldnt have happened
- first world war was the war to end all wars, our first lesson, lesson wasnt learnt so the second world war happened. so if upper classes had learnt their lesson, evas second death wouldnt have happened
- sheila may have learnt her lesson, but may have been powerless to act on it and forced to go back to Gerald. suggests that she will be forced by the patriarchy to marry Gerald, as he is at least “honest” about his affair. sheila is grateful for this
- suggests that other men are not honest. they would still be unfaithful but they arent honest with the women they love
- sheila loves gerald and sees him as an improvement, even though he is deceiving her and rejecting the inspectors lesson
6
Q
The play as a tragedy in regards to Sheila
A
- another tragedy is that women are denied any power or independence of their own, symbolised by what happened to Sheila. even tho the inspector gets through to her and she learns her lesson, she is powerless to change society as she has to gain power through marriage as in 1912 women did not have the vote yet
- In 1945, Gerald would be the kind of person that Priestley would have been campaigning against in parliament if he is an MP
- Priestley implies sheila will be unable to resist marrying Gerald because she has no reasonable alternatuve
7
Q
how is sheila the inspectors proxy
A
- she acts in his place
- she keeps asking the same sort of questions the inspector would ask
- ## so she delivers parts of preistleys message that “men” are dangers to society, and “men” have twice taken the country to war
8
Q
“im sorry daddy. actually i was listening” analysis
A
- he word “sorry” conveys a sense of sincerity and vulnerability, foreshadowing Sheila’s growth and willingness to take responsibility for her actions.
- Sheila’s use of the word “Daddy” reveals her vulnerable and childlike demeanor in this moment. By using this familiar and affectionate term, she appeals to her father’s emotions and seeks his forgiveness. The word “Daddy” conveys a sense of dependency and a desire for protection and understanding.
- The use of “sorry” reveals her remorse, while “actually” contradicts her father’s assumption. These conflicting elements within the line add complexity to Sheila’s character, showcasing her growth, but also hinting at the potential for further revelations and developmen
- listening” indicates her active engagement with the conversation or situation. By stating that she was listening, she emphasizes her attentiveness and willingness to understand the information presented. The word “listening” conveys a sense of receptiveness and openness to learning, highlighting Sheila’s capacity for growth and change.
9
Q
“but these girls arent cheap labour - theyre people”
A
- Sheila’s use of the pronoun “they’re” reinforces her assertion of the girls’ personhood. By using “they’re” to refer to the girls, Sheila emphasizes their individuality and shared humanity. This personal pronoun highlights that they are not nameless or faceless entities, but rather distinct individuals with thoughts, feelings, and rights.
- word “people,” which serves to humanize the girls and emphasize their intrinsic worth. By stating that “they’re people,” she affirms their equal standing and fundamental rights as human beings
- The word “these” implies that she has encountered them personally and can speak from firsthand experience, lending weight to her argument.
- By emphasizing that they are “people,” she highlights their individuality, dignity, and inherent worth. The word “people” humanizes them, challenging the objectification and devaluation often associated with exploitative labor practices.
10
Q
“how could i have known what would happen afterwards?”
A
question - This technique is used to emphasize Sheila’s genuine lack of knowledge or foresight regarding the consequences of her actions. It highlights her realization that she couldn’t have predicted the full extent of the harm caused to Eva.
- The use of the modal auxiliary verb “could” indicates Sheila’s recognition of her limited ability to foresee the consequences. It suggests a sense of uncertainty and implies that she had no reasonable means of knowing the exact outcome of her actions.
- Sheila’s statement conveys a tone of remorse and regret. Her use of the word “how” reflects her surprise and disbelief at the unintended negative consequences that followed. The emotional tone underscores her genuine concern and distress over the harm she inadvertently caused.
11
Q
“why you fool - of course he knows” analysis
A
- The phrase “of course he knows” is emphatic in nature. It conveys Sheila’s certainty and confidence in the inspector’s knowledge. By stating “of course,” she implies that the inspector possesses information that Gerald should already be aware of, reinforcing her belief in the inspector’s authority and credibility
- Sheila’s direct address to Gerald using the word “you” carries a confrontational tone. By singling out Gerald, she places responsibility on him and holds him accountable for his ignorance. The word “you” intensifies the impact of her message and emphasizes her expectation that Gerald should possess the knowledge she is referring to.
- signifies the turning point in sheilas character, becoming a proxy of the inspectors message
- The word “fool” is a derogatory term used by Sheila to express her frustration and disappointment in Gerald’s lack of awareness. It suggests that she considers his actions or behavior to be foolish or lacking in intelligence. By using this strong and emotionally charged word, Sheila aims to convey her disapproval and assert her own stance on the matter.
12
Q
(urgently, cutting in)
A
- urgently adverb - It implies a sense of haste and importance, indicating that Sheila feels a pressing need to interrupt and speak out. The adverb adds a sense of urgency to the scene and reflects Sheila’s heightened emotional state.
- The phrase “cutting in” further emphasizes the interruption. The use of “cutting” suggests a sharp and decisive action, as if Sheila is interjecting abruptly and forcefully. It conveys a sense of assertiveness and determination on her part, indicating that she is not willing to remain silent and wants to voice her opinion.
- indicates that she is no longer willing to passively accept what her mother or others say without voicing her own thoughts or opinions. Sheila’s assertiveness represents a departure from her earlier submissive behavior, suggesting a growing sense of independence.
- suggests that she is becoming more secure in her own understanding of the world and is willing to speak up, even in the face of authority figures like her mother.
13
Q
“and it was my fault really that she was so desperate when you first met her”
A
- Sheila uses the possessive pronoun “my” to emphasize her personal responsibility. By acknowledging that it was her fault, she takes ownership of her actions and implicates herself in the consequences. The word “my” emphasizes Sheila’s individual culpability and highlights her growing self-awareness and accountability.
- The word “fault” suggests a mistake or error on Sheila’s part, indicating her recognition of the harm she caused.
- adverb “really” to emphasize the sincerity and genuineness of her admission. It conveys a sense of candidness and suggests that Sheila is being honest and forthright in acknowledging her role in Eva’s desperation.
- The word “so” acts as an intensifier, emphasizing the degree of Eva’s desperation. It suggests that Sheila understands the severity of Eva’s circumstances and the significant impact her actions had on Eva’s well-being. The use of “so” amplifies the magnitud
- The phrase “when you first met her” indicates a specific point in time. It highlights Sheila’s awareness that her actions directly affected Eva’s state of desperation from the very beginning of their encounter. The phrase reinforces Sheila’s acknowledgment of the long-lasting impact she had on Eva’s life.
14
Q
“the point is, you dont seem to have learnt anything”
A
- The word “seem” suggests a discrepancy between appearances and reality. Sheila implies that although it may appear as if the person has learned something, their actions or behavior indicate otherwise. It implies that their actions are inconsistent with genuine growth or understanding, emphasizing Sheila’s doubt or skepticism.
- The word “anything” implies a lack of progress or development in general. Sheila’s use of “anything” suggests that the person has not learned even the most basic lessons or failed to make any meaningful changes. It amplifies her disappointment or frustration, emphasizing the perceived absence of growth or transformation
- The use of the present tense in “don’t seem” indicates that Sheila is referring to the person’s current state or ongoing behavior. It suggests that their failure to learn is not limited to past events but is an ongoing issue
- By singling out the person she is addressing, Sheila emphasizes their personal responsibility and implies that they have failed to learn from their past actions.
15
Q
“I tell you - whoever that inspector was, it was anything but a joke.”
A
Sheila’s use of the word “joke” contrasts with the serious tone of the rest of her statement. By employing this word, she suggests that some individuals may dismiss or trivialize the inspector’s visit as a mere prank or a lighthearted occurrence. However, her assertion challenges this perspective and indicates that the inspector’s presence carries significant consequences.
- The word “whoever” is used by Sheila to emphasize her uncertainty about the identity and nature of the inspector. It conveys a sense of mystery and intrigue, suggesting that the inspector’s role goes beyond a simple investigation.
