sheila Flashcards
(8 cards)
overview
Priestley uses the character of Sheila Birling in ‘An Inspector Calls’ as a vehicle to bring attention to the younger generation’s capacity to change and accept social responsibility. As the play progresses, Sheila moves away from an arguably superficial approach to life in order to accept responsibility and in turn strives for change within her own family. This development occurs in response to the Inspector who acts as a catalyst for change, prompting Sheila to abandon her family’s capitalist ideologies in order to embrace socialist ideals.
quote 1 ( gender stereotypes, social class)
‘…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.
quote 2 (gender inequality)
‘Chump! I can’t drink to this, can I? When do I drink?’ (p.5)
· Sheila is subservient to the men in her life and allows them to take control over her actions
· Sheila is compliant to her husband which reflects the stereotypes of the time – men valued over women.
· She is unable to make decisions on her own which is reflected by the questions ‘can I?’
demonstrates a surprisingly immature approach for her age
quote 3
‘Oh-it’s wonderful! Look-Mummy- isn’t it a beauty? Oh- darling- (she kissed Gerald hastily)…Now I really feel engaged’. (p.5)
· Sheila requires an expensive gift to feel engaged – indicative of preoccupation of the aesthetic
· She is juvenile in her speech when referring to her mother as ‘mummy’ which demonstrates a surprisingly immature approach for her age
· Portrays the stereotypes of women as only concerned with presentations and their perception of others
quote 4
‘(urgently cutting in) Mother, don’t – please don’t. For your own sake, as well as ours, you mustn’t.’ (p.30)
· The stage direction ‘urgently’ shows how she clearly identifies the depth of the situation
· Repeated command word ‘don’t’ suggests change of power dynamic as she is now taking on the parental role. In act 1 she asks permission and lets others make her choices seen through ‘ I can’t drink this can I? When do I drink?’
· Explicit language used to try and salvage the situation for her family.
· She understands the social responsibility she holds within society even though the older, more experienced generation do not.
previously called her “mummy” suggests development, became more mature as she knows calls her mother
quote 5
‘And probably between us we killed her.’ (p.35)
· Sheila accepts the idea and role of responsibility unlike the rest of her family.
· Shelia has a higher level of understanding then she did before, which is demonstrative of the change she as undergone.
· She also foreshadows the involvement of the rest of her family in Eva Smith’s death which suggests the level of insight she has.
· She aligns herself with the Inspector and not scared to contradict her parents, whereas in Act 1, she would never make her own decisions – ‘When do I drink’ and ‘is it the one you wanted me to have.’
quote 6
And Eric’s absolutely right. And it’s the best thing any one of us has said tonight and it makes me feel a bit less ashamed of us. You’re just beginning to pretend all over again.’ (p.65)
· Even Sheilas relationships with people have matured since act one as she progresses from sibling rivalry with her brother Eric, to joint alignment and agreement when prompting their parents to accept responsibility over Eva Smiths death.
· despite the fact that Sheila and Eric have accepted their responsibility, Sheila uses pronouns such as ‘us’ when describing her family’s wrongdoings which demonstrates how she believes that everyone carries joint responsibility which is an important value of socialism.
quote 7
whoever that Inspector was, it was anything but a joke. You knew it then. You began to learn something. And now you’ve stopped. You’re ready to go on in the same old way.’ (p.71)
· Sheila chooses to take over the inspector’s job after he has left, in terms of prompting reflection and reformation from her parents
· Sheila uses the inspectors visit as a means for bettering herself whereas Mr Birling uses the inspectors visit as a means to trivialise and mock the situation, which demonstrates that even though Sheila is a member of the younger generation, she has the capacity to behave more maturely than the older generation.
