Sheila Birling

Question 1

“ really feel engaged “

Answer 1

Comforted by financial security Gerald provides- symbolise is by a ring

Materialistic reaction relfetcs mr B capitalistic speech “ to lower costs..”

Presentes reflection of 1912 women valued on capacity to attract a man

Question 2

Presented as result of parents manipulation

Answer 2

Allows audience to feel sorry / empathy
Product of her environment - judges other by beauty - result of judged on this sole value herself
Blissfully ignorant to social injustices

Question 3

Development

Answer 3

Jealous instincts replaced by maturity
Receptive to Insp and evolves . Takes on board message of role - rejects parents views
Symbol of hope of the younger generation

once ignorant in privileged bubble now has had impact visually demonstrated
‘ goes closer to him wonderingly ‘
physical movement reflects Sheilas mindset moving towards insp - socials ideology

accepts her role in Evas death - personal reflection
distinct contrats to other characters

Question 4

Immature and insecure

Answer 4

Immediate recation to death to Q her beauty “pretty?”
Sheila grief greater due to Eva’s looks
Sheila warped view of world depend value of life on outward beauty
Links to social class - rich can improve appeanrce with makeup surgery clothes
Extension of evaluation- upper class greater value than lower
Done to encourage audience to form neg perception and view as shallow

Question 5

Juxtaposition to Eva

Answer 5

simimliarties of girls to highlight impact woman’s upbringing have on their lives

parallels - compare privilege of sheila with high class lifestyle to struggle of Eva

explicit ‘ pretty girl in eary twenties’
‘twenty four ‘ ‘very pretty’
perceptions of future are stark contrast - result of social division allows sheila to live carefree ‘very e xcited ‘ for future but Eva suffered so bad she had to commit suicide
enables empathy for sheila helps to further priestly own agenda of socialism

Question 6

reflection of 1912 women - value on capacity to attract a man

• 1912 women no political means or rights - middle class women expected to marry and fulfil domestic role
  dependant on male financially - women’s jobs payed small fractions of mens / some refused to hire women

Answer 6

’ really feels engaged’ comforted by financial security Gerald provides- symbolised by a ring

Priestly intends play to be educational - target younger gen - crucial sheila rejects traditional outdated mindset of older gen
allows socialist society to be formed