SHEILA Flashcards
What is a grade 9 opening sentence about Sheila Birling?
Transforms from an infantile capitalist to a passionate socialist.
‘half serious half playful’
JUXTAPOSITION. Creates a sense of unease at the celebration. Foreshadows inspector arriving and undermines her relationship with Gerald. It also shows she could change.
What does Sheila feel about capitalism?
She feels unsettled by it.
(stage direction) ‘very pleased with life’
Ignorant to the mistreatment and inequality of the working class. Very exaggerated to show her ignoring this completely. SHELTERED.
‘Mummy’ ‘daddy’
COLLOQIALISMS–> cannot see the harsh realties of life and acts like a child. Juxtaposes Eva who has lost both parents.
‘Mother’ ‘Father’
When she comes into conflict and starts to stand up to her parents. She becomes more socially aware.
Which of the seven deadly sins does Sheila represent?
Envy. (used for a moral message).
‘if she had been some miserable plain little creature, I don’t suppose I would have done it’
Dehumanises Eva by calling her a ‘creature’
‘now I really feel engaged’
This shows the importance she put on the ring. Is the ring the reason for her feelings. (MATERILAISTIC). SUPERFICIAL.
‘you’re pretending as if everything is just as it was before’
The real world collides with Sheila’s idealistic world.
‘Mummy isn’t it a beauty’
Again trying to get reassurance from her parents.
What does Sheila try to avoid doing?
Becoming a stereotypical Edwardian woman/ acting submissive.
‘distressed’ ‘horrified’ ‘frightened’
Sheila accepts the consequences of her lifestyle.
How does Sheila feel about Inspector G?
He haunts her.
‘they’re not cheap labour, they’re people!’
Shows her subconscious belief in socialism. Still leaves an air of detachment from the pronoun ‘they’
‘Mother stop it!’
The fact that she is challenging Mrs Birling metaphorically represents the conflict between labour and the conservatives. Sheila knows the bad things the upper class has done.
‘in some odd way, I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before’
Moral values placed above social position. Frustrated with the people around her for not understanding what they have done is wrong. Sheila is part of the younger generation who were at the birth of the welfare state.
‘and what he made me feel, fire, blood and anguish’
Begins mirroring Goole and aligning herself with the 1940s audience.
I can’t help thinking about this girl- destroying herself so horribly- and I’ve been so happy tonight. Oh I wish you hadn’t told me.
Extremely childish and self- centred. The fact she is talking about how the suicide has ruined her night in a way. Glimpses of hope as she understands the extent of hurt/
Starts to be accusatory towards Mr and Mrs Birling.
repetition of ‘you’- she is completely ashamed of their behaviour.
‘its anything but a joke’
Refuses to believe he is fake and understands the things that he has taught her. EMPATHY.
‘you never came near me and I had wondered what had happened to you’
Foreshadows what Gerald has done but also shows her naivety again.
‘you talk if we are responsible’
Inclusive pronoun shows shock.
‘if they didn’t get rid of that girl’
Uses her influence and power to have Eva sacked. ‘That girl’ easily discarded. Links back to ‘girls of that class’
‘I know I’m to blame’
Ashamed. Can learn from socialism. There is hope within society.
‘because between us we killed her’
Quick to realise that all the family is involved. ACCEPTANCE.
‘you don’t seem to of learnt anything’
She has learnt she should take responsibility for her actions.
