SHEILA Flashcards
GIVE SOME ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE SHEILA :
MATERIALISTIC: when she receives the ring she says “Now i really feel engaged”
INFANTILE: calls her father and mother “mummy” and “daddy”
NAIVE: due to her sheltered life
REMORSEFUL: when she learns her involvement with evas death she has instant guilt
PETULANT: childish - her behaviour at milwards when she thought eva laughed at her
OBEDIANT: acts like a typical middle class lady- leaves men in room
OPRESSED
INDEPENDENT: first one to understand INSP G’s POV
COMPASSIONATE: “these girls aren’t cheap labour , they’re people”
PENITENT: she shows her regret “between us we drove that girl to commit suicide”
PERCEPTIVE: she changes in the book from naive to mature “ He’s giving us the rope - so that we’ll hang ourselves”
What is this quote “But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.” (Social Responsibility) highlighting to the reader/audience ?
Sheila challenges her father’s CAPITALIST MINDSET recognizing the HUMANITY of the working class. Her shift in PERSPECTIVE shows her growing awareness of RESPONSIBILITY and JUSTICE, contrasting with her family’s exploitation of lower-class workers.
The phrase “cheap labour” reflects the capitalist exploitation of the working class, with Sheila CHALLENGING HER FATHERS CAPITALIST VIEW. The shift from referring to the workers as “these girls” to “they’re people” highlights her realisation that the lower classes deserve dignity.
also highlights the generation divide of mindsets
What does the quote “I’ll never, never do it again to anybody.” highlight about sheila’s character?
Sheila’s REMORSE contrasts with her parents’ lack of GUILT. The repetition of “never” highlights her SINCERE regret, demonstrating how the younger generation is more open to LEARNING from their MISTAKES.
Here, Sheila takes ACCOUNTABILITY for her role in Eva’s suffering, EMBODYING social responsibility
Sheila’s jealousy over Eva’s beauty led to her
UNJUST PUNISHMENT, reflecting the rigid expectations placed on women to compete with one another.
“I suppose we’re all nice people now.” what does this quote highlight about her characters change ?
Her SARCASM exposes the upper class’s HYPOCRISY —her family thinks MORALITY is about avoiding SCANDAL rather than true accountability. This mocks their belief that wealth excuses wrongdoing.
The phrase “nice people” mocks their superficial morality, exposing social class hypocrisy
the upper class PRIORITISES REPUTATION over true ETHICS. Sheila, unlike her parents, has learned that social responsibility is not about avoiding scandal but genuinely caring for others.
GENERATIONAL DIVIDE - DIFFERENT TO HER PARENTS
“It frightens me the way you talk.” (Generational Divide) WHAT DOES THIS ILLUSTRATE ABOUT SHEILA?
Sheila is DISTURBED by her parents’ LACK OF REMORSE . The word “frightens” reflects her REALISATION that they will never change, widening the gap between old and young.
showcasing her moral growth
Her FEAR SYMBOLISES a GENERATIONAL SHIFT, as the younger generation SEEKS change while the older CLINGS TO OUTDATED VALUES
This also REFLECTS social class arrogance, as Mr. and Mrs. Birling believe their WEALTH SHIELDS THEM FROM CONSEQUENCES
“We really must stop these silly pretences.” what is this quote highlighting ?
social responsibility
Sheila URGES her family to accept the truth rather than protect their image. Her frustration highlights her shift from SUPERFICIALITY to a genuine concern for ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR
Sheila directly challenges her parents’ upper-class façade, using the phrase, The phrase “silly pretences” criticizes the way the upper class prioritizes appearance over morality.
‘WE’ HIGHLIGHTS SOCIAL RESPONSEBILITY
“You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.” WHAT DOES THIS SHOW OF THE UPPER CLASS
Sheila metaphorically describes the SOCIAL CLASS DIVIDE as a “wall”, emphasizing how the upper class ISOLATES themselves from the suffering of the poor.
The word “mustn’t” conveys urgency, reinforcing her newfound commitment to social responsibility.
What theme is Sheila presenting here that is different to her parents “I behaved badly too. I know I did. I’m ashamed of it.” ?
(Generational Divide)
She OPENLY ACCEPTS BLAME, showing growth. Unlike her parents, she understands that privilege does not JUSTIFY MISTREATING others.
The phrase “I know I did” emphasizes her ACCEPTANCE of GUILT, reinforcing the generational divide.
The word “ashamed” signals moral growth, as she recognizes her privilege and its impact on the working class.
“Why – you fool – he knows.” what theme is sheila highlights (GI)
Sheila’s FRUSTRATION with Gerald shows her INTELLIGANCE and AWARENESS. She is dismissed by men throughout the play, reflecting how women’s voices were often undervalued.
Sheila quickly realizes that the Inspector cannot be DECIEVED, showing her intelligence and growing moral awareness.
“Mother, I think it was cruel and vile.” (Social Responsibility) how is Sheila presented in this quote and theme ?
She DIRECTLY CONFRONTS Mrs. Birling’s LACK OF EMPATHY. Her moral strength contrasts with her MOTHER’S INDIFFERENCE, reinforcing the importance of ACCOUNTABILITY
calling her actions “cruel” and “vile.” The harsh language marks Sheila’s complete rejection of her family’s values, strengthening the generational divide.
“You don’t seem to have learnt anything.”
SHEILA IS CONFRONTING HER MOTHER HERE ; WHAT IS PREISTLEYS MESSAGE ?
Preistley’s message is to the audience is generational divide
Sheila is FRUSTRATED that her parents remain UNCHANGED. Her disappointment reinforces Priestley’s message that older generations are often resistant to progress.
Her use of “seem” suggests a LINGERING hope that they might still change, reinforcing her IDEALISM.
“It’s you two who are being childish – trying not to face the facts.” what is the use of this role reversal ? how is sheila presented ?
She turns her parents’ PATRONISING attitude against them, mocking their REFUSAL to accept REALITY. This exposes the ARROGANCE of the wealthy, who avoid CONSEQUENCES.
The phrase “face the facts” aligns with social responsibility, as Sheila demands they acknowledge the truth.
“I remember what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish.” what is significant about this quote , E.g what theme is it hinting?
Sheila ABSORBS the Inspector’s warning, understanding that IGNORING INJUSTICE leads to suffering. The phrase “fire and blood and anguish” foreshadows the real-world consequences of selfishness.
reinforcing Priestley’s message that ignoring social responsibility leads to disaster.
“You’re beginning to pretend as if nothing’s really happened at all.” what does sheila mean ?
Sheila sees through her family’s DENIAL, further highlighting the GENERATIONAL CONFLICT. Unlike them, she refuses to forget the lessons of the night.
The word “pretend” criticizes the UPPER-CLASS TENDENCY to ignore inconvenient truths, emphasizing social class hypocrisy
OVERALL HIGHLIGHTING HER MORAL GROWTH
“No, not yet. It’s too soon. I must think.” how has sheila changed ?
HIGHLIGHTS THEME OF GENDER INEQUALITY
Sheila’s hesitation to take Gerald back reflects her newfound independence. She REJECTS THE EXPECTATION that women SHOULD SIMPLY FORGIVE and OBEY MEN
By choosing to “think”, Sheila CHALLENGES SOCIETAL NORMS, rejecting blind submission
“I want to get out of this. It frightens me the way you talk.” what theme is this , and what does SHEILA mean ?
Sheila’s DESIRE to escape shows her REJECTION of her family’s PRIVILEGE DRIVEN MINDSET. She no longer identifies with their detached, self-serving attitude.
The phrase “frightens me” conveys her EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, reinforcing how deeply she has changed
