Shelia Birling Flashcards
‘…is a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited.’ (p.1)
• Use of the adjective ‘pretty’ brings attention to Sheila’s physical appearance. Like many women of the time, Sheila’s value is attached to the aesthetic.
• An indicator of Sheila’s position within the younger generation through explicit mention of her age.
• Use of the phrase ‘very pleased with life’ may indicate Sheila’s lack of any real worries or concerns owing to
her family’s wealth. She does not need to be consider any responsibilities or pressures at this point.
• Reference to Sheila as ‘rather excited’ places a focus on her level of immaturity as she is easily caught up in
situations.
“I think it’s perfect. Now I really feel engaged.”(pg5)
• Materialistic view further developed
• From adverb ‘really’ she requires object to feel true relationship, showing her consumerist attitude
“I can’t help thinking about this girl – […] Oh I wish you hadn’t told me. What was she like? Quite young? […] Pretty?” (Pg17)
• “I can’t help thinking about this girl.” Sheila is one of the first people in her family to show empathy towards the struggles of the working class
• “Quite young? …Pretty?” – Sheila asks about Eva’s physical appearance and age first. This demonstrates that she is still far from changing completely as a character as she still conforms to stereotypes about women.
• Sheila considers the working class and therefore, is on her way to becoming more socially responsibility”
• She considers Eva Smith to an extent, which shows she is on her path to becoming socially responsible.
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people.” (Pg19)
• By describing the girls as “people”, she recognises that these people are not non descript entities, unlike her father
• She realises that these people are individuals as she becomes more socially responsible
• Moves away from capitalist ideologies as she does not regard them in a mercantile manner – “aren’t cheap
labour”
“[She hands him the ring]” Pg.40
In Act 2, Sheila demonstrates a shift in her character by taking authority, in contrast to how she was often treated as a child in Act 1.
Sheila’s decision-making has evolved, and she is now making significant choices for herself, marking a contrast to the past when others made decisions on her behalf.
Her decision to break off her relationship with Gerald will likely lead to tension between the two families and businesses, something her family may not appreciate.
“Mother I couldn’t possibly go. Nothing could be worse for me”Pg.30
- Sheila wants to listen to the Inspector as she has already gone through so much and isn’t affected by what could come next.
- Opposes her parents and moves away from their capitalist ideologies, aligning more with the inspector
- ‘Mother’ shows change, no longer calling her mummy as previously which shows a higher level of maturity
demonstrated by her.
“I’m supposed to be engaged to the hero of it” Pg.34
- ‘Supposed’ could show she changed her mind, she is engaged to him
- ‘Hero’ shows sarcasm, mocking Gerald for what he did
- Forcing Gerald to talk, similar to inspector
“And I’m not a child, don’t forget.” Pg.38
- Rejecting infantilisation from parents
- Standing up for herself and going against her parents
- Developing into grown woman and becoming more independent
“Mother – stop – stop!” Pg.48
- Realises it was Eric before everyone else this suggests that sheila is being perceptive
- Giving her mother a chance to take it back and save herself and Eric
- Realises quickly, contrast to her family who were a lot slower
“I know. I had her turned out of a job” pg.56
- Taking responsibility for what she did, first to accept
- No longer trying to defend herself, changed from the beginning
- Drifting away from her parents views and instead aligning with the inspector (generational divide)
- “I” -personal pronoun demonstrates that she is able to acknowledge her own involvement and take
responsibility - First to accept her involvement which demonstrates her perceptive nature
“[slowly] it’s queer – very queer [she looks at them reflectively]” pg.58
Sheila adopts the inspectors approach by speaking “slowly” and “reflectively”
- She is aligning with the inspector and the ideals of socialism as part of the younger generation
“fire and blood and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk” pg.71
Sheila’s repetition of the Inspector’s exact words indicates that she now mirrors his understanding and insight. This illustrates the profound transformation in Sheila’s character, as the Inspector’s influence has led her to gain a deeper comprehension of the situation.
The phrases “fire and blood and anguish” serve as representations of World War I and World War II. Priestley uses these powerful images to caution the audience and encourage them to embrace social responsibility. Having experienced the devastating effects of both wars, Priestley urges the audience to change their ways and break the cycle of conflict through reform and acceptance of responsibility
