Sheila Birling - Act 2 Key Quotations Flashcards
Sheila is assertive in response to being told to go.
“Then I’m staying.”
Sheila is realistic about Gerald and clearly is not afraid of losing him.
“So that’s what you think I’m really like.”
Sheila is portrayed as intelligent and wise.
“Building up a wall that’s sure to be knocked flat.”
Sheila recognises the Inspector’s tactics and understands the family’s guilt - portrays her as more perceptive.
“He’s giving us the rope - so that we’ll hang ourselves.”
Sheila is sarcastic to Gerald.
“You’re forgetting I’m supposed to be engaged to the hero of it.”
Sheila is reconsidering her relationship with Gerald, showing her emerging level of independence and use of logic and reasoning instead of acting on emotion.
“Gerald, I think you’d better take this with you.”
Sheila respects Gerald more after his confession, suggesting a forgiving side, reinforcing her morality and ability to change.
“I rather respect you more than I’ve ever done before.”
Sheila is genuinely upset about Eva Smith’s suicide, presenting her as compassionate.
“Oh - horrible - horrible!”
Sheila is not afraid to break social conventions and rebuke her mother due to her actions.
“Mother, I think it was cruel and vile.”
