Sheila Flashcards
(6 cards)
“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.”
AO1 (Interpretation): Sheila challenges her father’s capitalist perspective, indicating her growing awareness of social inequalities.
AO2 (Language & Devices): The juxtaposition of “cheap labour” and “people” emphasizes the dehumanization inherent in capitalist exploitation. The term “cheap labour” reduces individuals to economic units, while “people” restores their humanity.
AO3 (Context): Sheila’s empathy shows Priestley’s criticism of class divisions and his support for social responsibility in post-war Britain.
“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.”
AO1: Sheila accepts responsibility for her actions, marking a pivotal moment in her moral development.
AO2: The adverb “desperately” conveys intense remorse, while the direct admission “I know I’m to blame” underscores her accountability.
AO3: Contrasting with her parents’ denial, Sheila embodies the younger generation’s capacity for change, aligning with Priestley’s message that societal improvement depends on personal responsibility.
“It’s you two who are being childish – trying not to face the facts.”
AO1: Sheila confronts her parents’ refusal to accept responsibility, highlighting the generational divide in attitudes.
AO2: The accusatory tone and the phrase “being childish” invert traditional family dynamics, positioning Sheila as more mature than her elders.
AO3: Priestley uses this reversal to challenge the notion that age equates to wisdom, promoting the idea that moral insight is not confined to the older generation.
“I behaved badly too. I know I did. I’m ashamed of it.”
AO1: Sheila’s candid confession reflects her internalization of guilt and her commitment to personal growth.
AO2: The repetition of “I” emphasizes personal accountability, while “ashamed” conveys deep remorse, reinforcing her sincerity.
AO3: This admission aligns with Priestley’s theme that acknowledging one’s faults is essential for societal progress.
“I suppose we’re all nice people now.”
AO1: Sheila’s sarcastic remark exposes the family’s eagerness to dismiss their wrongdoing once the Inspector’s authenticity is questioned.
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AO2: The irony in “nice people” underscores the superficiality of their self-perception and the hollowness of their moral compass.
AO3: Priestley uses this to highlight the danger of complacency and the importance of genuine accountability, regardless of external validation.
“Everything we said had happened really had happened. If it didn’t end tragically, then that’s lucky for us. But it might have done.”
AO1: Sheila emphasizes that the moral weight of their actions remains, even if the immediate consequences are uncertain.
AO2: The conditional “might have done” introduces a sense of foreboding, while “lucky for us” suggests that their escape from scandal is due to chance, not virtue.
AO3: This reinforces Priestley’s message that ethical behavior should not be contingent on outcomes but should stem from an intrinsic sense of responsibility.
