Sheila Flashcards
Adjectives
Immature
Authoritative
Perceptive
Paragraph 1
Quote 1
‘…is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.’ (p.1)
Use of the adjective ‘pretty’ brings attention to Sheila’s physical appearance. Like many women of the time, Sheila’s value is attached to the aesthetic.
An indicator of Sheila’s position within the younger generation through explicit mention of her age.
Use of the phrase ‘very pleased with life’ may indicate Sheila’s lack of any real worries or concerns owing to her family’s wealth. She does not need to be consider any responsibilities or pressures at this point.
Reference to Sheila as ‘rather excited’ places a focus on her level of immaturity as she is easily caught up in situations.
Quote 2
“Oh - it’s wonderful, Look Mummy – isn’t it a beauty?”(pg5)
By the adjective ‘beauty’ the childish distractions progress as she is consumed with superficial things and materialistic gain
Shows her shallow only to be consumed with aesthetics
Also asks her mother for direction – further infantilising Sheila as she seeks validation
Quote 3
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people.” (Pg19)
By describing the girls as “people”, she recognises that these people are not non descript entities, unlike her father
She realises that these people are individuals as she becomes more socially responsible
Paragraph 2
Quote 1
“[She hands him the ring]” Pg.40
Sheila is now taking authority, opposing her character in Act 1 and challenging typical gender stereotypes of women being submissive
She is making a big decision for herself which contrasts when others were making decisions for her previously.
Her now splitting with Gerald will break the relationship with the two families and businesses which her family may not like.
Quote 2
“And I’m not a child, don’t forget.” Pg.38
Rejecting infantilisation from parents
Standing up for herself and going against her parents
Developing into grown woman and becoming more independent
Quote 3
“Mother – stop – stop!” Pg.48
Realises it was Eric before everyone else this suggests that sheila is being perceptive
Giving her mother a chance to take it back and save herself and Eric
Realises quickly, contrast to her family who were a lot slower
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Quote 1
“[slowly] it’s queer – very queer [she looks at them reflectively]” pg.58
Sheila adopts the inspectors approach by speaking “slowly” and “reflectively”
She is aligning with the inspector and the ideals of socialism as part of the younger generation
Quote 2
“everything we said had happened really had happened” pg.70
Sheila is very insightful and realises that even though the consequences may be different, the actions really matter and that her family should not forget everything and carry on like nothing happened. She understands that her family are lucky that they haven’t faced serious consequences yet and that they should accept their mistakes and face the reality.
She is more perceptive than anyone in her family and quickly understands what has happened.
Quote 3
“fire and blood and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk” pg.71
Sheila repeats the exact words of the Inspector showing how she mirrors him and now has the same level of understanding and insight as him. This demonstrates the overall change in Sheila’s character and how she has completely changed due to the Inspector.
“Fire and blood and anguish” represent WW1 and WW2. Priestly warns the audience and urges them to change their ways and accept social responsibility as they have already been through both wars and in order to prevent another and the cycle going on and on they must reform.
