Sheila Mr H Flashcards
Who is Sheila?
She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Birling and has just become engaged to Gerald Croft.
What does Priestley use Sheila to symbolize?
The younger generation and hope for the future.
What views does Sheila challenge?
Her parents’ self-centred capitalist views.
What societal aspect does Sheila promote?
A more caring, just society for all.
What new ideas does Sheila represent?
Ideas surrounding gender equality.
Fill in the blank: Sheila challenges the outdated views of her _______.
[father, mother, and Gerald]
What is Sheila’s initial attitude towards her engagement ring?
Sheila is playful and delighted at receiving her engagement ring
This indicates her excitement about life.
What does Sheila question about Gerald’s actions?
She questions Gerald’s actions the previous summer when he was away for a long time
This suggests she is not as naïve as she seems.
How is Sheila’s character initially described?
Sheila appears self-satisfied and innocent
She is described as ‘very pleased with life and rather excited.’
What does Sheila’s question about the engagement ring reveal about her character?
It hints at a materialistic attitude
Her question ‘is it the one you wanted me to have?’ indicates her concern about societal expectations.
What does Sheila’s character reflect about women in her era?
She reflects a submissive and passive nature
This highlights the societal norms of women during that time.
Why is Sheila introduced as a shallow character?
To make her transformation more impressive and dramatic
If she can change, then it implies that anyone can.
What emotion does Sheila feel towards her treatment of Eva Smith?
Guilt, remorse, and shame
Sheila expresses her feelings of guilt after realizing the impact of her actions on Eva Smith.
How does Sheila’s attitude towards her father change?
She challenges his attitude towards workers
Sheila’s evolution includes moving from submissive to questioning her father’s treatment of lower classes.
What realization does Sheila have about Gerald’s connection to Daisy Renton?
She realizes that Gerald knows Daisy Renton
This shows Sheila’s perceptiveness and her growing understanding of the situation.
What does Sheila attempt to do regarding her mother?
Forewarn her about the Inspector
Sheila’s attempt to warn her mother indicates her growing awareness of the seriousness of the situation.
What statement reflects Sheila’s acceptance of responsibility?
So I’m really responsible
This statement signifies Sheila’s acknowledgment of her role in the events leading to Eva’s demise.
What does Sheila vow after her confrontation with the Inspector?
I’ll never do it again to anybody
This indicates her commitment to change and taking responsibility for her actions.
How does Sheila’s relationship with her parents evolve?
She becomes aligned with the Inspector and at odds with her parents
This shift illustrates her moral growth and divergence from her family’s values.
What is Sheila’s initial attitude towards her father?
Childish ‘yes daddy’
This reflects her initial submissiveness before her character development throughout the story.
What does Sheila’s emotional response indicate about her character development?
She is starting to change
Her feelings of guilt and remorse suggest significant growth from her earlier self-centeredness.
How does Sheila feel about her parents’ response to Eva Smith’s death?
She is angry at their refusal to accept their role in the death.
Sheila is shocked by how quickly her parents start joking about the situation.
What is Sheila’s transformation throughout the play?
She evolves from a naive, self-satisfied girl to a strong-minded, compassionate young woman.
She demonstrates awareness of social responsibility and moral judgment.
What does Sheila mean when she says, ‘If I could help her now I would’?
She expresses guilt and a sense of responsibility for Eva’s situation.
This reflects her growth in understanding the impact of her actions.
What does Sheila realize about the Inspector’s role?
She acknowledges that the Inspector is aware of their guilt and knows more than they realize.
Her perception of the Inspector’s intelligence indicates her maturity.
What does Sheila mean by ‘He’s giving us the rope- so that we’ll hang ourselves.’?
She indicates that the Inspector is leading them to confront their own guilt and responsibility.
This shows her intelligence and insight into the situation.
How does Sheila challenge her parents’ attitudes?
She expresses fear about their dismissive talk and refuses to listen to it.
This marks a significant shift in her character and her willingness to confront them.
What does Sheila symbolize in the play?
Sheila symbolizes change and hope for a fairer society.
Priestley uses her character to illustrate that it’s never too late to change one’s ways.
Fill in the blank: Sheila’s growth is characterized by her increased awareness of _______.
[social responsibility]
True or False: Sheila remains the same throughout the play.
False
Sheila’s character undergoes significant transformation and growth.
What does Sheila’s character arc suggest about the future?
It suggests that change is possible and that individuals can learn from their mistakes.
This reflects Priestley’s message about social responsibility.
What is Sheila’s initial attitude at the beginning of the play?
She is naive and self-satisfied.
Her initial ignorance contrasts sharply with her later awareness.
How does Priestley present Sheila in An Inspector Calls?
As a representative of the younger generation, embodying hope for the future.
Priestley believed that the younger generation could challenge capitalism and societal norms.
How is Sheila initially characterized in An Inspector Calls?
As a somewhat childish, spoilt girl with little power over her life.
This characterization is shown through Priestley’s stage directions.
What does the phrase ‘very pleased with life’ suggest about Sheila’s upbringing?
It suggests a life of protection and entitlement in an Upper-Middle-Class environment.
Sheila’s comfortable life has shielded her from the realities of the world.
What does Mrs. Birling’s comment about Sheila imply?
It implies an infantilizing attitude towards Sheila, treating her like a child.
This reflects the protective nature of her parents and societal expectations.
What implicit comparison does Priestley make between Sheila and Eva/Daisy?
He suggests that both girls share similarities, yet Sheila is protected while Eva/Daisy is not.
This comparison highlights class disparities.
How does Sheila’s character change throughout the play?
She evolves from a spoilt girl to a thoughtful woman becoming more enlightened.
This change is reflected in her speech and actions.
What do the adverbs ‘slowly’ and ‘carefully’ indicate about Sheila’s transformation?
They indicate her gradual change in awareness and maturity.
This transformation signifies her growing understanding of societal issues.
What does the metaphorical ‘wall’ represent in Sheila’s dialogue?
It represents the separation of classes and the potential for change.
The wall could also symbolize Mrs. Birling’s cold personality.
How does Sheila’s language evolve by the end of the play?
She uses more sophisticated language and echoes the Inspector’s words.
This reflects her development and newfound rhetorical skills.
What does Sheila’s repetition of ‘fire and blood and anguish’ signify?
It signifies the impact of the Inspector’s words on her.
This phrase serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of their actions.
What does the tricolon ‘I remember what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel’ demonstrate?
It demonstrates Sheila’s development in rhetorical skills and her emotional engagement.
This showcases her transition from naivety to a more powerful presence on stage.
Who is Sheila engaged to?
Gerald
Why is Sheila’s father happy about the engagement?
It will help his business.
What does Sheila care more about than her marriage?
Her engagement ring
What feeling does Sheila experience towards Eva’s beauty?
Jealousy
What action does Sheila take against Eva?
She gets her fired from a shop called Milwards.
How does Sheila feel about Eva’s death?
Guilty; she feels ‘really responsible’.
Who does Sheila express anger towards regarding Eva’s death?
Her parents
What does Sheila tell her parents about their attitude towards Eva’s death?
They ‘frighten her’ for not caring.
How is Sheila presented by Priestley in Act 1?
As self-indulgent and superficial
Sheila reflects the expectations of a middle-class woman in 1912.
What does Sheila’s excitement about the ring suggest?
She seems more excited to have a ring than to be getting married
This indicates her immaturity and focus on materialism.
What implication does the phrase ‘You wanted me to have’ convey about Gerald’s role?
It implies he is in control of this relationship.
What character trait does Sheila exhibit through her conversation about the ring?
She seems immature and a tad spoilt.
Fill in the blank: Sheila reflects the expectations of a _______ woman in 1912.
middle-class
What does Sheila Birling realize about the Inspector’s approach?
The Inspector is allowing them to expose their own guilt and complicity in Eva Smith’s demise.
This highlights the theme of self-incrimination in the play.
What does the metaphor of ‘the rope’ imply in Sheila’s statement?
It suggests that the Inspector is providing them with the means to hang themselves metaphorically.
This indicates that their own actions and moral failings will ultimately lead to their downfall.
True or False: Sheila Birling believes the Inspector is solely interrogating them.
False
She understands that he is facilitating their self-exposure.
Fill in the blank: Sheila Birling’s statement reveals her awareness of their own _______ in Eva Smith’s demise.
guilt
This reflects the play’s exploration of social responsibility.
What does Sheila’s growing awareness signify in the play?
Her increasing maturity and understanding of her family’s actions.
Initially portrayed as naive and sheltered.
How is Sheila initially portrayed?
Somewhat naive and sheltered.
This characterization changes as the play progresses.
What role does the Inspector play in Sheila’s development?
He acts as a catalyst for her self-realization and moral reckoning.
The Inspector reveals the truth about her family’s actions.
What does the word ‘giving’ imply about the Inspector?
He is not just an authority figure; he is also a catalyst for self-realization.
This highlights the Inspector’s influence on the characters.
True or False: Sheila remains naive throughout the play.
False.
She evolves and matures as the play unfolds.
What theme is highlighted in the quote?
Accountability
The theme of accountability refers to the recognition of one’s responsibilities and the consequences of their actions.
Who recognizes the privilege that has shielded them from consequences?
Sheila
Sheila’s acknowledgment indicates her awareness of social privilege and its impact.
What does the Inspector’s probing force Sheila to confront?
Her responsibilities
This confrontation is crucial for character development and thematic exploration.
What does the moment foreshadow in the play?
Tension between younger and older generations
This tension reflects differing attitudes towards accountability and responsibility.
How does Sheila’s attitude towards her role in the tragedy differ from her parents’?
Sheila is more willing to accept her role, while her parents remain defensive and unrepentant
This contrast emphasizes generational differences in understanding consequences.
What does Sheila Birling express in the quote ‘bitterly I suppose we’re all nice people now’?
A sense of irony and disillusionment regarding her family’s self-perception after the Inspector’s visit
The quote reflects Sheila’s realization of the superficiality in her family’s claims to morality.
What does the word ‘bitterly’ indicate in Sheila’s expression?
Her frustration and disappointment with the superficiality of their claims to morality and decency
‘Bitterly’ conveys a deep sense of regret and dissatisfaction.
What literary device is primarily used in Sheila’s quote?
Irony
Irony highlights the contrast between the family’s self-image and the reality of their actions.
Fill in the blank: Sheila Birling’s use of the word ‘bitterly’ suggests a feeling of _______.
[frustration and disappointment]
True or False: Sheila Birling feels proud of her family’s morality after the Inspector’s visit.
False
Sheila’s feelings reflect disillusionment rather than pride.
What does Sheila’s statement reflect about her awareness?
Sheila’s growing awareness of the hypocrisy within her family and society at large
This indicates a deeper understanding of social issues and personal responsibility.
How do Sheila’s family members portray themselves?
As ‘nice people’
This portrayal contrasts with their actual behavior and contributions to societal problems.
What is the reality of Sheila’s family’s actions?
Their actions have contributed to the suffering of others, particularly Eva Smith
Eva Smith is a character representing the consequences of the family’s actions.
What does Sheila’s tone suggest about their reassurances?
She recognizes the emptiness of their reassurances
This indicates a critical view of superficial kindness.
What aspect of kindness does Sheila’s observation highlight?
The performative nature of their kindness
This suggests that their kindness is more about appearances than genuine concern.
What pivotal moment does Sheila’s character development signify?
A transition from a naive young woman to someone who critically examines her family’s values and privilege
This development highlights her moral awakening and desire for accountability.
What does Sheila acknowledge that signifies her moral awakening?
The irony in her family’s self-image
Recognizing this irony reflects her critical thinking regarding their values.
How does Sheila’s character change throughout the play?
She evolves from naivety to critical examination of her family’s values
This change illustrates her growth and increased awareness of social issues.
Fill in the blank: Sheila transitions from a _______ young woman to a critical thinker.
[naive]
True or False: Sheila’s character development includes a desire for her family to maintain their privilege.
False
She seeks genuine accountability rather than the continuation of privilege.
What themes does the play encapsulate?
Social responsibility and critique of the upper class
The play encourages the audience to consider their roles in societal issues.
What contrast does the play highlight?
Appearance and reality
This contrast urges reflection on true morality.
What does Sheila’s realization represent in the play?
A call for introspection and change
Sheila’s character is pivotal for promoting social awareness.
What role does Sheila serve in the play?
A crucial voice for social awareness
Her character embodies the need for societal change.
