Shelia Ai Flashcards
What transformation does Sheila Birling undergo?
Transforms from infantile capitalist to passionate socialist
What effect does the juxtaposition of ‘serious’ and ‘playful’ have?
Creates a sense of unease during the celebration
What does the foreshadowing of the inspector’s arrival suggest?
Undermines Sheila’s relationship with Gerald
What alternative suggestion is made about Sheila’s feelings towards capitalism?
Capitalism unsettles Sheila and suggests she may change
Fill in the blank: Sheila Birling’s character is described as _______.
[infantile capitalist]
True or False: Sheila Birling remains unchanged throughout the story.
False
What theme is suggested by Sheila’s transformation?
The theme of social responsibility and change
What does Sheila’s character represent in terms of societal views?
The potential for change from capitalist to socialist views
What does the stage direction ‘Very pleased with life’ indicate about Sheila’s character?
Shows ignorance of her actions and inability to see past inequality and mistreatment
The adverb ‘very’ exaggerates her ignorance of the real world.
What do the colloquialisms ‘Mummy’ and ‘daddy’ suggest about Sheila’s upbringing?
Indicates she lives in a bubble and cannot see the harsh realities of life
This contrasts with Eva, who has lost both parents.
How does Sheila’s language change as the play progresses?
Changes from ‘Mummy’ and ‘daddy’ to ‘Mother’ and ‘father’
This shift occurs as she comes into conflict with her parents.
Fill in the blank: Chloride is _______ of water.
[key learning term]
What behavior is described as spiteful in the context?
Immature - gets Eva fired
What sin is associated with envy in the play?
Sin: Envy
True or False: The dehumanization of Eva is highlighted by the use of the noun ‘creature’.
True
What does the speaker imply about Eva’s appearance in the statement about her being ‘very pretty’?
It suggests that her attractiveness led to a lack of sympathy.
Fill in the blank: The quote ‘If she’d been some miserable plain little creature…’ implies _______.
[key learning term]
What does the term ‘creature’ signify in the context of class segregation?
Dehumanization of Eva
What does the engagement ring symbolize in the context of the play?
The engagement ring symbolizes materialism and emotional significance
It represents how material possessions can influence feelings of engagement.
What is the significance of the adverb ‘now’ in Sheila’s statement?
‘Now’ implies that the perfect ring is the reason for her feelings of engagement
It suggests a temporal relationship between the ring and her emotional state.
How does Sheila’s perception of her engagement change throughout the play?
Sheila’s perception contrasts between idealism and reality
Initially, she feels engaged due to the ring, but later recognizes the pretense in her situation.
What does the term ‘pretending’ juxtapose in Sheila’s dialogue?
‘Pretending’ juxtaposes ‘really’
This highlights the conflict between her idealistic views and the harsh realities of life.
Fill in the blank: The engagement ring leads Sheila to feel _______.
engaged
True or False: Sheila believes that nothing has changed after receiving the engagement ring.
False
She later acknowledges that her perception of reality is different from her idealistic views.
What is Sheila’s initial attitude towards her role in the play?
Avoids being a typical Edwardian
Sheila is reluctant to embrace a submissive role.
Who is the first character to experience change in the play?
Sheila
Sheila’s character evolves significantly throughout the narrative.
What does Eva’s absence in the play signify?
Emphasizes the huge disparity between the classes
Priestley uses this absence to highlight issues related to gender roles and class differences.
What emotional response does Sheila exhibit upon hearing about Eva’s pregnancy?
Distressed and horrified
The stage directions indicate Sheila’s deep emotional turmoil regarding the situation.
How do the stage directions for Sheila change throughout the play?
Worsen as she accepts the consequences of her actions
This reflects her character development and growing awareness of her impact on others.
What does Sheila defend in Act 1?
Eva
Sheila defends Eva even after hearing about Mr. Birling.
What does Sheila say about the workers?
‘they’re not cheap labour, they’re people’
This statement reflects her belief in the value of individual workers.
What does Sheila’s subconscious belief foreshadow?
Her belief in socialism
This belief is hidden under the pressures from Mr. and Mrs. Birling.
What linguistic feature shows Sheila’s detachment?
The pronoun ‘they’
This wording indicates a sense of distance from the workers.
What does Sheila realize about the actions of the upper class?
They are immoral and ridiculous to put on airs and graces.
Who is the only character that understands the inspector’s power?
Sheila.
What does the Oedipus complex metaphorically represent?
The conflict between Labour and Conservative and Socialism and Capitalism.
Fill in the blank: The upper class have ______, stolen, lied.
raped
How does Sheila contrast with Mrs. Birling?
Sheila understands the inspector’s power while Mrs. Birling does not.
What phrase does Sheila use to confront her mother?
‘Mother, stop it!’
True or False: Sheila believes it is appropriate for the upper class to act superior.
False.
What does Sheila think about the upper class’s behavior?
It’s ridiculous to put on airs and graces.
What does Sheila respect Gerald more for?
Being honest
This reflects the theme of moral values being placed above social position.
How does Sheila feel about her parents?
Massively frustrated
She feels this way because they do not learn from their mistakes.
What realization does Sheila come to regarding morality?
It doesn’t matter if he was real or not - they still all behaved immorally
This highlights the play’s exploration of moral responsibility.
What generation does Sheila belong to?
The younger generation
This generation existed during the birth of the Welfare State, which emphasizes socialism and equality.
What does the inspector say about the younger generation?
They are ‘impressionable’
This suggests that the younger generation is more open to change and new ideas.
Fill in the blank: Sheila’s frustration with her parents stems from their inability to _______.
Learn
True or False: Sheila believes that honesty is more important than social status.
True
What moral theme is suggested by Sheila’s respect for Gerald?
Moral values placed above social position
How does Sheila’s language change in relation to the Inspector?
Sheila’s language begins to parallel/mirror that of Goole.
What lesson does the Inspector convey about learning?
If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire, blood, and anguish.
What phrase does Sheila use that reflects the Inspector’s influence?
Fire, blood, and anguish.
How does Sheila align herself with the Inspector?
She firmly aligns herself with him.
What is the significance of Sheila’s alignment with the Inspector for the audience in the 1940s?
It reflects a social awakening and responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Sheila’s language and the Inspector’s language share _______.
similarities.
True or False: Sheila’s perspective shifts to become more aligned with the Inspector’s views.
True.
What action does Sheila take regarding her family?
She begins to distance herself from her family, particularly Mr and Mrs Birling.
What literary device does Priestley use to highlight Sheila’s disdain for her parents?
Repetition of the pronoun ‘you’ serves to highlight this.
How does Sheila’s attitude toward her parents change by the end of the play?
She addresses them with some disdain and is arguably ashamed of their behaviour.
What societal message might Priestley be conveying through Sheila’s distancing from her parents?
He may be sending a message about a society that mistreats its most vulnerable members.
What should not be built between the speaker and the girl?
A wall
This metaphor suggests the importance of empathy and connection.
How does the speaker feel about the inspector’s falsehood?
It’s anything but a joke
This indicates a serious attitude toward the inspector’s actions.
What is the context of the speaker’s advice regarding the girl?
Increasing empathy
The speaker emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion.
True or False: The speaker believes that the inspector’s actions can be taken humorously.
False
The speaker refuses to see the inspector’s behavior as humorous.
What does Sheila represent in An Inspector Calls?
Change of values in society
Sheila’s character illustrates the shift in societal values and responsibilities.
How does Priestley present Sheila in An Inspector Calls?
As a character that evolves and reflects societal change
Priestley uses Sheila’s development to highlight the impact of social responsibility.
Fill in the blank: Sheila’s character is used to represent ideas about _______.
society
What environmental factor can be linked to Sheila’s character?
Responsibility
True or False: Sheila behaves irresponsibly throughout An Inspector Calls.
False
What does the theme of responsibility in An Inspector Calls connect to?
Environmental factors and societal change
Fill in the blank: Priestley uses Sheila to highlight the _______ of societal values.
change
What is one of the writer’s intentions regarding Sheila’s character?
To represent societal change and responsibility
How does Sheila’s behavior change throughout the play?
She evolves from being naive to understanding her social responsibility
This change signifies a broader commentary on societal awareness.
