shelia Flashcards
Daughter, sister and engaged
Mr and Mrs Birling, engaged to Gerald Croft and sister to Eric Birling
How is she described?
J. B. Priestley describes her as “a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited,”
How does she change during the acts?
In the fist act she’s excited and happy but after finding out she had something to do with Eva’s death she matures
What message does she give the audience?
She represents (with Eric) the younger generation – Priestley saw them as ‘more impressionable’ – after all, they were the future. She gives the audience hope that their society can improve if people make changes and take responsibility.
How does her character develop?
She learns her lesson. She takes responsibility and changes; she also tries to encourage others to do the same.
Key Quotes in Act 1
Pg 3: ‘Yes – except for all last summer, when you never came near me, and I wondered what had happened to you.’
Sheila’s curiosity quote
Pg 17: Displays Sheila’s curiosity ‘What’s this all about?’
Only one to react and care about Eva’s death
Pg 17: Only one to react and care about Eva’s death ‘Oh, how horrible! Was it an accident?’
Socialist View
Pg 19: Socialist View ‘But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.’
Not taking anything from him, also like she already knows
Pg 23: ‘No, not really. It was my own fault. (Suddenly, to Gerald) All right, Gerald, you needn’t look at me like that. At least, I’m trying to tell the truth. I expect you’ve done things you’re ashamed of too.’
Apologetic and Jealousy
Pg 23: Apologetic ‘No, not really it was my own fault.’
Pg 24: Jealousy ‘I couldn’t be sorry for her.’
Pg 24: Apologetic ‘I’ll never, never do it again.’
Blackmail
Pg 24: ‘I told him that if they didn’t get rid of that girl, I’d never go near the place again and I’d persuade mother to close our account with them’
Spoilt Brat
Pg 24: Spoilt Brat - Rude to Miss Francis for no reason ‘I was absolutely furious I was very rude to both of them.’
Regret and she is starting to realise
Pg 24: ‘And if I could help her now, I would’
Pg 26: ‘(laughs rather hysterically) Why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows. And I hate to think how much he knows that we don’t know yet. You’ll see. You’ll see.’
