Sheila Birling Flashcards
Overview
In ‘An Inspector Calls’, Priestley presents Sheila as a spoilt young woman at first, then shows her gradual maturing throughout the play as she accepts responsibility for her actions and breaks free from the expectations society had for women of the upper class. Through Sheila, Priestley demonstrates his hope and optimism that the younger generation will be more receptive to Priestley’s socialist ideology and thus change for the better.
Quotes
‘Very pleased with life and rather excited’ - Pg 1
‘Mummy and daddy’ - Pg 6
‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people.’ - Pg 19
‘I know I’m to blame - but I’m desperately sorry’ - Pg 29
‘It frightens me the way you talk’ - Pg 71
‘Very pleased with life and rather excited’
Point - Sheila is presented as initially naïve and privileged, reflecting her sheltered upbringing, but later undergoes a transformation, challenging societal norms.
Choice - Priestley’s description of Sheila as “a pretty girl… very pleased with life” establishes her initial naivety and privilege. The use of “pretty” aligns her with traditional female stereotypes, while “very pleased with life” suggests she is unaware of the struggles faced by the working class.
Effect - This portrayal highlights how her sheltered upbringing has shaped her worldview, reinforcing class divisions and gender expectations. By initially presenting Sheila as superficial, Priestley creates a contrast with her later transformation, using her character to critique privilege and advocate for social change.
‘Mummy and daddy’
Point - Sheila is presented as immature and sheltered, using childlike language, highlighting her privileged upbringing and initial lack of responsibility.
Choice - Sheila refers to her parents as “Mummy” and “Daddy”, words with childlike connotations that reinforce her immaturity and dependence. These terms are also associated with the upper class, subtly reflecting her privileged background.
Effect - This language choice highlights Sheila’s naivety and lack of responsibility at the start of the play. It suggests she is shielded from real-world struggles, mirroring how the upper class avoids accountability. As the play progresses, her shift to calling her parents “Mother” and “Father” reflects her growth, showing how Priestley contrasts immaturity with social awareness.
‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people.’
Point - Sheila is presented as morally developing and socially aware, rejecting her father’s capitalist views and embracing empathy for the working class.
Choice - Priestley has Sheila use the empathetic phrase “But these girls aren’t cheap labour—they’re people”, with italicisation on “people” and an exclamation mark for emphasis. The phrase “these girls” groups the working class together, highlighting their treatment as a faceless, exploitable workforce.
Effect - This language choice marks Sheila’s moral development and growing awareness of class inequality. The exclamation shows her strong emotions and rejection of her father’s capitalist mindset. By presenting Sheila as compassionate and socially aware, Priestley suggests that the younger generation has the potential to embrace change, contrasting with the rigid, selfish views of the older generation.
‘I know I’m to blame - but I’m desperately sorry’
Point - Sheila is presented as accepting responsibility with sincere remorse, contrasting with the older generation’s refusal to change, emphasising social responsibility.
Choice - Priestley has Sheila explicitly state, “I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry,” using first-person pronouns to emphasise her personal acceptance of guilt. The phrase “desperately sorry” conveys deep remorse, and the dash creates a pause, reinforcing her sincerity and emotional weight.
Effect - This marks a stark contrast between Sheila and the older generation, who refuse to accept blame. Her remorse signifies growth and maturity, aligning with Priestley’s message that the younger generation is more open to change. By highlighting Sheila’s acceptance of responsibility, Priestley encourages the audience to reflect on their own accountability and embrace social responsibility.
‘It frightens me the way you talk’
Point - Sheila is presented as transformed, openly challenging her parents, symbolising hope for social progress and the younger generation’s embrace of responsibility.
Choice - Priestley has Sheila use the phrase “it frightens me the way you talk”, employing direct confrontation to emphasise her distress. The verb “frightens” conveys genuine fear, while the second-person pronoun “you” directly accuses her parents, showing her defiance.
Effect - This reinforces Sheila’s complete transformation, as she now openly challenges her parents’ refusal to change. The generational divide is stark—the older generation clings to outdated beliefs, while the younger generation embraces responsibility. Priestley uses Sheila to symbolise hope for social progress, encouraging the audience to learn from past mistakes.
