Sheila Birling Flashcards
Introduction
Priestly uses the character of Sheila as a vehicle to expose the damaging impact capitalism has on family life. Early on in the play, Sheila’s conceited materialistic nature is presented as symptomatic of a capitalist upbringing and the pernicious values of her parents. Sheila is also a product of the Edwardian patriarchal society in which she has grown up, where she has been taught that as a young woman her primary value is derived from her physical appearance and marriage ability. As such, she fosters deep routed insecurities, and learns to view other women with a sense of rivalry and envy, which culminates in her vindictive treatments towards Eva Smith. However, as the play progresses, Sheila takes accountability for her actions and denounces the attitudes heralded by her parent. In their place she begins to appropriate the socialist values of the inspector, conveying priestly’s hope for the younger generation. Priestley exhorts the post war audience to be like Sheila: curious, receptive and driven to create a much more egalitarian society predicated on welfare and civic responsibility.
‘Very pleased with life”
As described in the opening stage directions. Contentment derived from her sheltered upbringing as an upper-class women, rendering her blissfully ignorant to the suffering of those around her.
‘Look mummy, isn’t it a beauty’
Excitement indicates she has inherited the materialistic values of her parents. It is clear Sheila’s excitement surrounding the ring is largely superficial, with Sheila valuing it on an ornamental level, rather than reflecting on the symbolism of love and commitment
The imperative ‘look’ paired with the rhetorical question reveals Sheila’s need for attention and the validation of her parents, who were elated by the promise of a socially advantageous union to the aristocratic Gerald Croft.
Furthermore, the noun choice ‘mummy’ converts a sense of childless - a corollary of a sheltered upbringing that never required her to mature.
‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people’
Following the arrival of the inspector, Sheila begins to grown in confidence as she starts to challenge the prejudices of her father. She condemns his pursuit of profit over integrity. The stance is indicative of Sheila’s far more humans and empathetic view of the wpkeimf class when compared to her fathers.
‘She gives a high-stifled sob, them runs out’
Suggesting that like her father she will attempt to abdicate responsibility, however, significantly she does return, ultimately fully accepting responsibility for her actions
Her interrogation overall
Sheila admits to instigating Eva’s unwarranted dismissal for, Milward’s - an act of malevolence born of her own jealousy and insecurities. The abuse of power is indicative of the level of control the upper class has over the working class: both Mr Birling and his daughter were in a position to have Eva fires and wielded this influence to disastrous effect
‘She was pretty too - with big dark eyes - and that didn’t make it any better ‘
Through Sheila’s acknowledgment, priestly exposes the harmful impact of allowing women to believe their primary value is derived from their physical appearance, because it creates an unhealthy sense of competition between women, which prevents them from uniting and supporting one another.
How could I have known what would happen afterwards
- At the time sheila saw her actions as largely inconsequential, perhaps as a result of the life of privilege she has led where earning money to sustain her lifestyle has never been required for her.
- The rhetorical question, showed her ignorance and thoughtlessness to the long term impact her malicious behaviour would have in Eva’s life.
- As such priestly implored his audience to reflect on the potential consequences of their actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant they may be at the time.
‘I’ll never,never do it again to anybody’
- Contrasting to her father she quickly accepts responsibility, representing the moral template priestly intended his audience to emulate.
- Through the repetition of ‘never’ Priestly conveys Sheila’s sincerity and the noun choice ‘anybody’ indicates she realises all human beings are worthy of respect and fair treatment, irrespective of class.
What is Sheila’s transformation used to present?
Represents Priestly’s hope for a more moral, socialist future. He exhorts the post-war audience to follow her example: developing an attuned conscience and standing up for what is right
Effect of Sheila returning the engagement ring
Critical moment in her transformation
Symbolises her rejection of capitalist values and refusal to maintain a facade after discovering the truth about his infidelity
‘Don’t interfere, please, father’
Indicates she has lost respect for him and no longer values his opinion.
For the first time, Sheila takes autonomy over her own life and asserts her right to make her own decisions free from the interruptions of her ‘father’
Noun choice of ‘father’ indicates her maturity developing.
‘I remember what he said now, how he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire blood and anguish’
- she has internalised the teaching of the inspectors and heads his warnings
- she repeats the trillion delivered by the inspector in his final speech, alluding to the hideous repercussions of failing to accept responsibility
- to the post war audience the polysyndetic lost ‘fire blood and anguish’ creates a resounding tone of war, suggesting the selfish pursuit of individual interests and failure to consider the needs of others led to the devastation of the two world wars.
- tricolon also has hellish connotations perhaps implying that those who escape the repercussions of their actions during the course of their lives will face the consequences in the afterlife
‘I suppose we’re all nice people now’
Sheila’s scathing, sarcastic comment emphasises that irrespective of the inspectors credibility, the Birling family have behaved abhorrently and can no longer maintain a pretence of morality and respectability.
Impact of Sheila’s transformation
She had a compete transformation and has no desire to return to her former self, even when an easy means of doing so is offered to her
This change in Sheila represented priestly faith in the post war generation to do what is right and move away from Edwardian values in order to create a fairer, more just society overall
