Sheila - DURING INSPECTOR

Question 1

“But these girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.” (Act 1)

Answer 1

Sheila’s tone shifts from ‘playful’ (before inspector) to morally assertive.
“Cheap labour” directly counters Mr Birling’s capitalist mindset.
The pause (dash) before “they’re people” creates emphasis, showing a dawning empathy.
Context: shows growing social awareness post-WW1 (when Priestley wrote play)

Question 2

“I know I’m to blame – and I’m desperately sorry.” (Act 1)

Answer 2

First-person pronouns (“I”, “I’m”) highlight personal responsibility. The adverb “desperately” adds emotional intensity—this is true remorse, not self-pity.

Question 3

“Why – you fool – he knows. Of course he knows.” (To Gerald, Act 1)

Answer 3

Repetition (“he knows”) and short, clipped sentences increase tension. The dash and the insult “you fool” show Sheila’s frustration and increasing emotional intelligence. She is intelligent enough to grasp the Inspector’s strategy to let them incriminate themselves

Question 4

“He’s giving us the rope – so that we’ll hang ourselves.” (Act 2)

Answer 4

The metaphor “rope…hang ourselves” is dark and vivid, showing how the Inspector manipulates the truth out of them. Sheila’s tone becomes almost cynical. It marks a shift: she’s interpreting events, not just reacting to them.
Context: challenges gender roles, women were rarely portrayed as emotionally or intellectually authoritative in Edwardian drama

Question 5

“You mustn’t try to build up a kind of wall between us and that girl.” (To her mother, Act 2)

Answer 5

The metaphor of a “wall” suggests class division and emotional detachment. Use of the imperative “you mustn’t” shows Sheila is now confident and morally assertive.
Context: Critiques how the upper classes insulated themselves from working class suffering and shows his plea for social responsibility across class boundaries.

Question 6

I behaved badly too. I know I did. I’m ashamed of it.” (Act 2)

Answer 6

Short, declarative sentences reflect clarity and sincerity. She contrasts sharply with her parents, who evade blame. The word “ashamed” shows a deep sense of moral self-awareness.