Sheila Birling Quores And Meaning Flashcards
Sheila’s language also reflects her increasing maturity as she begins the play saying “mummy” using a lot of personal pronouns to highlight her selfish, childlike attitude at the start of the play. As the play progresses she refers to Mrs Birling as “mother” which reflects this change and perhaps she doesn’t feel as intimate with her mother and has lost respect for her because of the way she is behaving.
“Yes, go on, Mummy”, “but mother do stop before its too late”
Young, willing to change. Not stuck in her ways, willing to hear people out.
“A pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited”
Sheila’s language becomes more passionate and also uses dramatic language.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour- they’re people.”
Shows she becomes a bit like the Inspector – asking questions, contradicting her mother.
“Why should the inspector apologise?”
What does Sheila Birling represent?
Priestley uses the character of Sheila to represent his own views of social responsibility.She offers hope for the future and Priestley uses Shelia as an example of people’s changing attitudes towards those less fortunate than themselves. At times she acts as almost an assistant to the Inspector, in that she supports his criticism of the other characters, becoming his mouthpiece when he has left the stage.
