An Inspector Calls: Sheila Flashcards
(12 cards)
“Oh - how horrible”
Responsibility - Sheila only character expresses genuine motion towards suicide of Eva. Priestly demonstrates this through use of a dash indicating authentic displeasure
“I felt rotten about it at the time”
Responsibility - Usage of informal adjective “rotten” demonstrates Sheila’s lack of maturity in vocabulary, however also remorse for her actions which she instantly knew was wrong. Arguably this is Priestly conveying message that maturity is proportional to level of social responsibility you feel rather than using formal vocabulary
“I suppose we’re all nice people now.”
Responsibility - Rhetorical device, coupled with a sarcastic tone to convey Sheila’s disapproval of her parents and Gerald’s lack of remorse. The lack of a potential criminal conviction doesn’t alleviate their immoral actions.
“It’s you two who are being childish - trying not to face the facts”
Older Generation vs younger generation - Sheila recognises her parent’s faults. Irony is used to expose lack of responsibility and immaturity of Mr and Mrs Birling as Sheila (the child) labels her parents as childish
“Impertinent”
Parental manipulation - Use of adjective “Impertinent” to describe Eva smith is unusual for the childish character of Sheila and is realised by the audience as influenced by the formal vocabulary of Mrs Birling
“Pretty Girl in her early twenties” and “very pleased with life and rather excited”
Maturity - Sheila initially portrayed through stage directions as living comfortably and blissfully ignorant of society’s injustices. Priestley does this to develop Sheila as a character later in the play as more socially responsible
“No not yet. It’s too soon. I must think.”
Maturity - Pivotal moment is where Sheila must either accept or reject Gerald and the capitalist individualism he stands for. The use of the imperative “must” is a direct message from Priestley to the audience - to think for themselves
“You don’t seem to have learnt anything”
Maturity - Sheila acknowledges the purpose of the Inspectors inquiry - a moral teaching - Priestley does this to portray the older generation as stubborn and opposed to changing their stance on responsibility
“Now I really feel engaged”
Materialism - Sheila’s obsession with material objects is demonstrated when Sheila needs the physical token of a ring to “really feel engaged”. Ring is a visual marker of ownership and commitment from Gerald to relationship
“Is it the one you wanted me to have?”
Materialism - Priestley’s use of this question reveals extent of patriarchal control Gerald has over Sheila. Beginning with the choice of ring and inevitably extending to controlling minutiae of quotidian life (little details of everyday life)
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour - they’re people”
Capitalism Vs Socialism - Priestly demonstrates Sheila’s instantaneous recognition of the inspectors message, as she objects to her father’s dehumanising and capitalist approach to business
“Impertinent is such a silly word”
Capitalism Vs Socialism - Sheila later on in the play has developed in maturity and rejects her mothers use of the formal adjective “Impertinent” to criticise Eva as “such a silly word.”
