Sheila Birling - Act 1 Flashcards
Overview
Priestley uses the character of Sheila Birling’s in ‘An inspector Calls’ as a vehicle to bring attention to the younger generations capacity to change and accept social responsibility. Sheila is initially presented as a naïve, immature and superficial individual however she gradually detaches herself from capitalist ideologies in favour of more socialist views.
Quote 1 - in the beginning of the play, Sheila is describes as “…
•In the beginning of the play, Sheila is described as ”a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.” Her excitement and satisfaction with life reflects her sheltered upbringing and her initial inability to see beyond her own world. The stage directions highlight her superficially at the start of the play, aligning her with the complacent, upper-class youth of the time. Priestley makes Sheila’s initial presentation clear, setting the stage for her later transformation into a more socially conscious character.
Quote 2 - after receiving her…
After receiving her engagement ring from Gerald, Sheila states “Now I really feel engaged.” This line highlights Sheila’s initial excitement and sense of fulfilment, but also reveals her immaturity at this early stage in the play. The fact that she only “really” feels engaged once she has the ring suggests that she values the outward, material aspects of the relationship more than the emotional commitment itself.
This reflects how she has been influenced by the expectations placed on women in Edwardian society, where marriage and appearance were central to a woman’s identity.
Priestley uses this moment to present Sheila as someone still shaped by traditional roles – making her later rejection of those values more powerful.
Quote 3 - Sheila’s reaction to Eva smiths death…
Sheilas reaction to Eva Smith’s death, seen through ”-destroying herself so horribly - and I’ve been so happy tonight. Oh, i wish you hadn’t told me.”, reveals Sheila’s initial sympathetic response, but also demonstrates her self-absorbed nature. Her immediate concern about her own happiness being ruined exposes her lingering immaturity and self-centredness.
Priestley uses this moment to reflect the contrast between Sheila’s sheltered, privileged life and the harsh realities faced by the working class.
Quote 4 - Sheila’s rhetorical question ”…
Sheila’s rhetorical question ”So I’m really responsible” marks a critical moment in her transformation as it indicates her emerging sense of accountability after finding out her role in Eva Smith’s death. This moment signifies the start of Sheila’s moral awakening, as she accepts responsibility for her actions. This willingness to accept social responsibility contrasts with the defensiveness of the older generation and reflects her shift toward more socialist values.
Quote 5 - Sheila recounts her role in…
Sheila recounts her role in having Eva Smith dismissed from Milwards, ”Then i went to the manager and told him that this girl had been very impertinent”. This reveals Sheila’s sense of power and entitlement. Her ability to have someone dismissed from their job over something as trivial as a smile reflects the class divide and the insensitivity of the upper class toward the struggles of the working class. This moment demonstrates Sheila’s initial lack of empathy and highlights how her social position influenced her treatment of others.
Through his sentence, Priestley criticises the way privilege and power can be abused and used in an unfair way. However Sheila now openly admits her responsibility in the situation, which reflects Priestley’s purpose - to bring attention to the younger generation’s capacity to change.
Quote 6 - Sheila’s promise “…
Sheila’s promise ”And ill never, never do it again to anybody” conveys her deep remorse and commitment to change. The repetition of “never” emphasises her sincerity and the depth of her determination to change her behaviour. It marks a key point in her character development, as she moves from a naïve girl unaware of the impact of her behaviour to someone who acknowledges her wrongdoing and vows to be more considerate in the future.
Priestley further highlights the younger generation’s capacity to change, as Sheila’s reaction contrasts deeply with her family’s rejection of social responsibility.
Quote 7 -
Sheila is quick to pose questions to Gerald, ”Well, Gerald? … How did you come to know this girl – Eva Smith?”, which highlights her growing assertiveness. The directness of the question demonstrates her determination to uncover the truth, indicating that she is no longer the naïve, materialistic character she was at the beginning of the play. She starts to challenge those around her and demand answers, marking another step in her transformation from innocence to moral awareness.
