Sheila Birling

Question 1

Who is Sheila Birling?

Answer 1

Sheila Birling is a character in J.B. Priestley’s play ‘An Inspector Calls’.

Question 2

What is Sheila’s relationship to the Birling family?

Answer 2

Sheila is the daughter of Arthur and Sybil Birling.

Question 3

True or False: Sheila is engaged to Gerald Croft.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What significant event occurs at the beginning of the play?

Answer 4

Sheila and Gerald are celebrating their engagement.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: Sheila initially feels _____ about the Inspector’s visit.

Answer 5

uneasy

Question 6

How does Sheila’s character change throughout the play?

Answer 6

She becomes more self-aware and socially conscious.

Question 7

What does Sheila reveal about her role in Eva Smith’s life?

Answer 7

She had Eva Smith fired from her job at Milward’s due to jealousy.

Question 8

Multiple Choice: What does Sheila’s character represent in the play? A) Traditional values B) Social responsibility C) Capitalism

Answer 8

B) Social responsibility

Question 9

What emotion does Sheila express when she learns about Eva’s death?

Answer 9

She feels guilt and remorse.

Question 10

True or False: Sheila supports her parents’ views on social class.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

What does Sheila say to her mother about being selfish?

Answer 11

She accuses her mother of being cold and unsympathetic.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: Sheila’s character can be described as _____ and _____ at the start of the play.

Answer 12

naive, privileged

Question 13

How does Sheila react to the Inspector’s questioning?

Answer 13

She becomes defensive but eventually admits her mistakes.

Question 14

What does Sheila’s character symbolize?

Answer 14

The potential for change in the younger generation.

Question 15

Multiple Choice: What does Sheila ask her father to do? A) Fire the Inspector B) Listen to the Inspector C) Ignore the Inspector

Answer 15

B) Listen to the Inspector

Question 16

What does Sheila say about the impact of her actions?

Answer 16

She acknowledges that her actions had serious consequences for Eva Smith.

Question 17

True or False: Sheila believes that everyone is responsible for each other.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Fill in the blank: By the end of the play, Sheila advocates for _____ and _____.

Answer 18

social justice, accountability

Question 19

What does Sheila’s final attitude towards her family’s actions indicate?

Answer 19

She rejects their denial and embraces a more ethical perspective.

Question 20

What is the significance of Sheila’s change in attitude?

Answer 20

It highlights the theme of social responsibility and the need for change.

Question 21

How does Sheila contrast with her mother, Sybil Birling?

Answer 21

Sheila is more empathetic and open to change, while Sybil is rigid and traditional.

Question 22

Multiple Choice: Which character does Sheila feel most guilty about? A) Gerald B) Eva Smith C) The Inspector

Answer 22

B) Eva Smith

Question 23

What lesson does Sheila learn by the end of the play?

Answer 23

She learns the importance of acknowledging her responsibilities to others.

Question 24

True or False: Sheila is the first character to recognize the Inspector’s significance.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Sheila's development represents the _____ of the younger generation.

Answer 25

awakening

Question 26

What does Sheila's character suggest about the future?

Answer 26

It suggests hope for a more socially aware and responsible society.

Question 27

Is the one you wanted me to have?

Answer 27

You implied Eric has the control even over her ring, in Edwardian England, women’s place was to support and revolve around there husband

Question 28

What was she like? Quite young? Pretty?

Answer 28

Sheila is curious but only superficial questions about her appearance , unable to look past skin deep, like a child asking questions , without restriction from parents thsi is a way for her to mature

Question 29

But these girls aren’t cheap labour they’re people

Answer 29

They beginning of socialist views that Sheila is finally coming round too , capitalism exploiting , hope for the future , she understands the inspectors message

Question 30

So I’m really responsible

Answer 30

Rhetorical question demonstrates Sheila is starting to take ownership but still needs validation from others to tell her

Question 31

It was my own fault

Answer 31

Sheila has taken responsibility rather than accusing she says it ‘miserably’ and ‘distressed’ showing she is overridden by guilt she can’t change the past but instead focuses on changing for the future

Question 32

If shed been some …… plain little …….. ,…, but she was …… and looked as if she could take …. Of ………

Answer 32

Miserable creature pretty care herself

Question 33

If she’d been some miserable little creature .. but she was pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself

Answer 33

She was jealous and didn’t think of the consequences of her actions just because she was pretty, showing she doesn’t understand the life of the working class and can’t look below surface level

Question 34

I must obviously be a selfish vindictive creature

Answer 34

Sheila is projecting how she feels about herself onto Gerald and by doing this she is passively victimising him without actually blame shifting. The imperative verb and adverb 'must' and 'obviously' reflects the certainty with which Sheila says this line; it is indisputable

Question 35

I must obviously be a selfish …….. creature

Answer 35

Vindictive

Question 36

You mustn't try to build up a …………… between us and that girl. If you do, then the ……… will just …… it down

Answer 36

Kind of wall Inspector Break

Question 37

You mustn't try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl. If you do, then the Inspector will just break it down

Answer 37

The inspector can break down walls between social classes demonstrates Sheila’s maturing adopting the inspectors speech rather than her fathers, ‘us’ acknowledging she knows it was her too