Shelia Ai

Question 1

What transformation does Sheila Birling undergo?

Answer 1

Transforms from infantile capitalist to passionate socialist

Question 2

What effect does the juxtaposition of ‘serious’ and ‘playful’ have?

Answer 2

Creates a sense of unease during the celebration

Question 3

What does the foreshadowing of the inspector’s arrival suggest?

Answer 3

Undermines Sheila’s relationship with Gerald

Question 4

What alternative suggestion is made about Sheila’s feelings towards capitalism?

Answer 4

Capitalism unsettles Sheila and suggests she may change

Question 5

Fill in the blank: Sheila Birling’s character is described as _______.

Answer 5

[infantile capitalist]

Question 6

True or False: Sheila Birling remains unchanged throughout the story.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

What theme is suggested by Sheila’s transformation?

Answer 7

The theme of social responsibility and change

Question 8

What does Sheila’s character represent in terms of societal views?

Answer 8

The potential for change from capitalist to socialist views

Question 9

What does the stage direction ‘Very pleased with life’ indicate about Sheila’s character?

Answer 9

Shows ignorance of her actions and inability to see past inequality and mistreatment

The adverb ‘very’ exaggerates her ignorance of the real world.

Question 10

What do the colloquialisms ‘Mummy’ and ‘daddy’ suggest about Sheila’s upbringing?

Answer 10

Indicates she lives in a bubble and cannot see the harsh realities of life

This contrasts with Eva, who has lost both parents.

Question 11

How does Sheila’s language change as the play progresses?

Answer 11

Changes from ‘Mummy’ and ‘daddy’ to ‘Mother’ and ‘father’

This shift occurs as she comes into conflict with her parents.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: Chloride is _______ of water.

Answer 12

[key learning term]

Question 13

What behavior is described as spiteful in the context?

Answer 13

Immature - gets Eva fired

Question 14

What sin is associated with envy in the play?

Answer 14

Sin: Envy

Question 15

True or False: The dehumanization of Eva is highlighted by the use of the noun ‘creature’.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What does the speaker imply about Eva’s appearance in the statement about her being ‘very pretty’?

Answer 16

It suggests that her attractiveness led to a lack of sympathy.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The quote ‘If she’d been some miserable plain little creature…’ implies _______.

Answer 17

[key learning term]

Question 18

What does the term ‘creature’ signify in the context of class segregation?

Answer 18

Dehumanization of Eva

Question 19

What does the engagement ring symbolize in the context of the play?

Answer 19

The engagement ring symbolizes materialism and emotional significance

It represents how material possessions can influence feelings of engagement.

Question 20

What is the significance of the adverb ‘now’ in Sheila’s statement?

Answer 20

‘Now’ implies that the perfect ring is the reason for her feelings of engagement

It suggests a temporal relationship between the ring and her emotional state.

Question 21

How does Sheila’s perception of her engagement change throughout the play?

Answer 21

Sheila’s perception contrasts between idealism and reality

Initially, she feels engaged due to the ring, but later recognizes the pretense in her situation.

Question 22

What does the term ‘pretending’ juxtapose in Sheila’s dialogue?

Answer 22

‘Pretending’ juxtaposes ‘really’

This highlights the conflict between her idealistic views and the harsh realities of life.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The engagement ring leads Sheila to feel _______.

Answer 23

engaged

Question 24

True or False: Sheila believes that nothing has changed after receiving the engagement ring.

Answer 24

False

She later acknowledges that her perception of reality is different from her idealistic views.

Question 25

What is Sheila's initial attitude towards her role in the play?

Answer 25

Avoids being a typical Edwardian ## Footnote Sheila is reluctant to embrace a submissive role.

Question 26

Who is the first character to experience change in the play?

Answer 26

Sheila ## Footnote Sheila's character evolves significantly throughout the narrative.

Question 27

What does Eva's absence in the play signify?

Answer 27

Emphasizes the huge disparity between the classes ## Footnote Priestley uses this absence to highlight issues related to gender roles and class differences.

Question 28

What emotional response does Sheila exhibit upon hearing about Eva's pregnancy?

Answer 28

Distressed and horrified ## Footnote The stage directions indicate Sheila's deep emotional turmoil regarding the situation.

Question 29

How do the stage directions for Sheila change throughout the play?

Answer 29

Worsen as she accepts the consequences of her actions ## Footnote This reflects her character development and growing awareness of her impact on others.

Question 30

What does Sheila defend in Act 1?

Answer 30

Eva ## Footnote Sheila defends Eva even after hearing about Mr. Birling.

Question 31

What does Sheila say about the workers?

Answer 31

'they're not cheap labour, they're people' ## Footnote This statement reflects her belief in the value of individual workers.

Question 32

What does Sheila's subconscious belief foreshadow?

Answer 32

Her belief in socialism ## Footnote This belief is hidden under the pressures from Mr. and Mrs. Birling.

Question 33

What linguistic feature shows Sheila's detachment?

Answer 33

The pronoun 'they' ## Footnote This wording indicates a sense of distance from the workers.

Question 34

What does Sheila realize about the actions of the upper class?

Answer 34

They are immoral and ridiculous to put on airs and graces.

Question 35

Who is the only character that understands the inspector's power?

Answer 35

Sheila.

Question 36

What does the Oedipus complex metaphorically represent?

Answer 36

The conflict between Labour and Conservative and Socialism and Capitalism.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The upper class have ______, stolen, lied.

Answer 37

raped

Question 38

How does Sheila contrast with Mrs. Birling?

Answer 38

Sheila understands the inspector's power while Mrs. Birling does not.

Question 39

What phrase does Sheila use to confront her mother?

Answer 39

'Mother, stop it!'

Question 40

True or False: Sheila believes it is appropriate for the upper class to act superior.

Answer 40

False.

Question 41

What does Sheila think about the upper class's behavior?

Answer 41

It's ridiculous to put on airs and graces.

Question 42

What does Sheila respect Gerald more for?

Answer 42

Being honest ## Footnote This reflects the theme of moral values being placed above social position.

Question 43

How does Sheila feel about her parents?

Answer 43

Massively frustrated ## Footnote She feels this way because they do not learn from their mistakes.

Question 44

What realization does Sheila come to regarding morality?

Answer 44

It doesn't matter if he was real or not - they still all behaved immorally ## Footnote This highlights the play's exploration of moral responsibility.

Question 45

What generation does Sheila belong to?

Answer 45

The younger generation ## Footnote This generation existed during the birth of the Welfare State, which emphasizes socialism and equality.

Question 46

What does the inspector say about the younger generation?

Answer 46

They are 'impressionable' ## Footnote This suggests that the younger generation is more open to change and new ideas.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: Sheila's frustration with her parents stems from their inability to _______.

Answer 47

Learn

Question 48

True or False: Sheila believes that honesty is more important than social status.

Answer 48

True

Question 49

What moral theme is suggested by Sheila's respect for Gerald?

Answer 49

Moral values placed above social position

Question 50

How does Sheila's language change in relation to the Inspector?

Answer 50

Sheila's language begins to parallel/mirror that of Goole.

Question 51

What lesson does the Inspector convey about learning?

Answer 51

If men will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught it in fire, blood, and anguish.

Question 52

What phrase does Sheila use that reflects the Inspector's influence?

Answer 52

Fire, blood, and anguish.

Question 53

How does Sheila align herself with the Inspector?

Answer 53

She firmly aligns herself with him.

Question 54

What is the significance of Sheila's alignment with the Inspector for the audience in the 1940s?

Answer 54

It reflects a social awakening and responsibility.

Question 55

Fill in the blank: Sheila's language and the Inspector's language share _______.

Answer 55

similarities.

Question 56

True or False: Sheila's perspective shifts to become more aligned with the Inspector's views.

Answer 56

True.

Question 57

What action does Sheila take regarding her family?

Answer 57

She begins to distance herself from her family, particularly Mr and Mrs Birling.

Question 58

What literary device does Priestley use to highlight Sheila's disdain for her parents?

Answer 58

Repetition of the pronoun 'you' serves to highlight this.

Question 59

How does Sheila's attitude toward her parents change by the end of the play?

Answer 59

She addresses them with some disdain and is arguably ashamed of their behaviour.

Question 60

What societal message might Priestley be conveying through Sheila's distancing from her parents?

Answer 60

He may be sending a message about a society that mistreats its most vulnerable members.

Question 61

What should not be built between the speaker and the girl?

Answer 61

A wall ## Footnote This metaphor suggests the importance of empathy and connection.

Question 62

How does the speaker feel about the inspector's falsehood?

Answer 62

It's anything but a joke ## Footnote This indicates a serious attitude toward the inspector's actions.

Question 63

What is the context of the speaker's advice regarding the girl?

Answer 63

Increasing empathy ## Footnote The speaker emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion.

Question 64

True or False: The speaker believes that the inspector's actions can be taken humorously.

Answer 64

False ## Footnote The speaker refuses to see the inspector's behavior as humorous.

Question 65

What does Sheila represent in An Inspector Calls?

Answer 65

Change of values in society ## Footnote Sheila's character illustrates the shift in societal values and responsibilities.

Question 66

How does Priestley present Sheila in An Inspector Calls?

Answer 66

As a character that evolves and reflects societal change ## Footnote Priestley uses Sheila's development to highlight the impact of social responsibility.

Question 67

Fill in the blank: Sheila's character is used to represent ideas about _______.

Answer 67

society

Question 68

What environmental factor can be linked to Sheila's character?

Answer 68

Responsibility

Question 69

True or False: Sheila behaves irresponsibly throughout An Inspector Calls.

Answer 69

False

Question 70

What does the theme of responsibility in An Inspector Calls connect to?

Answer 70

Environmental factors and societal change

Question 71

Fill in the blank: Priestley uses Sheila to highlight the _______ of societal values.

Answer 71

change

Question 72

What is one of the writer's intentions regarding Sheila's character?

Answer 72

To represent societal change and responsibility

Question 73

How does Sheila's behavior change throughout the play?

Answer 73

She evolves from being naive to understanding her social responsibility ## Footnote This change signifies a broader commentary on societal awareness.