Sheila Birling Flashcards
Quote-responsibility
“Oh - how horrible”
Sheila is the only character who expresses genuine motion towards the suicide of Eva Smith. Priestley demonstrates this through the use of a dash, indicating Sheila’s authentic displeasure.
“I was in a furious temper” and
“It was my own fault” and “I
behaved badly too.
I know I did”.
Sheila is instantly open toward accepting responsibility and is self-critical of her selfish actions
“I felt rotten about it at the time”
Priestley’s use of the informal adjective “rotten” demonstrates Sheila’s lack of maturity in vocabulary.
However, she also shows remorse for her actions, which she instantly knew was wrong. Arguably, this is Priestley conveying the message that maturity is proportional to the level of social responsibility you feel, rather than using formal vocabulary.
“If I could help her now, I would” and
“I’ll never, never do it again to anybody”
Priestley evidences Sheila’s commitment to changing her attitude towards social responsibility.
“I suppose we’re all nice people now”
Priestley uses this rhetorical device, coupled with a sarcastic tone to convey Sheila’s disapproval of her parents and Gerald’s lack of remorse. The lack of a potential criminal conviction doesn’t alleviate their immoral actions.
Quote-older vs younger generation
“It’s you two who are being childish - trying not to face the facts”
Sheila recognises her parents’ faults. Priestley uses irony to expose the lack of responsibility and immaturity of Mr and Mrs Birling, as Sheila (the child) labels her parents as “childish”.
Quotes-maturity
“pretty girl in her early twenties” and
“very pleased with life and rather excited”
Sheila is initially portrayed through the stage directions as living comfortably and blissfully ignorant of society’s injustices.
Priestley does this to develop Sheila as a character later in the play, into a more socially responsible person.
“You and I aren’t the same people”
Sheila has gained maturity since her initial engagement with Gerald. Sheila’s perception of Gerald has changed and she can no longer ignore the injustices in society.
“You don’t seem to have learnt anything”
Here, Sheila acknowledges the purpose of the Inspector’s inquiry - a moral teaching. Priestley does this to portray the older generation as stubborn and opposed to changing their stance on responsibility.
“No not yet. It’s too soon. I must think.”
This pivotal moment is where Sheila must either accept or reject Gerald and the capitalist individualism he stands for.
The use of this imperative “must’ is a direct message from Priestley to the audience - to think for themselves.
Quote-materialism
“Now I really feel engaged”
Sheila’s obsession with material objects is demonstrated when Sheila needs the physical token of a ring to “really feel engaged”. This ring is a visual marker of ownership and commitment from Gerald to their relationship.
Quote-capitalism vs socialism
“Pretty?”
Here, it can be inferred that Sheila’s grief was greater due to Eva being pretty. This demonstrates Sheila’s warped view of the world, as the value of someone’s life depends on their outward beauty.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour
- they’re people”
Priestley demonstrates Sheila’s instantaneous recognition of the Inspector’s message, as she objects to her father’s dehumanising and capitalist approach to business.
“impertinent is such a silly word”
Sheila, later on in the play, has developed in maturity and rejects her mother’s use of the formal adjective “impertinent’ to criticise Eva as “such a silly word”.
