Shelia

• Who are Sheila's parents?

  Mr and Mrs Birling
• Who is Sheila engaged to?

  Gerald Croft
• What social class does Sheila belong to?

  Middle-class
• How is Sheila initially portrayed in the stage directions?

  As a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  She gains maturity after acknowledging her role in Eva Smith's suicide
• What does Sheila represent after the Inspector's departure?

  She becomes a proxy for the Inspector, rejecting her parents' views
• What is the nature of Sheila and Gerald's engagement?

  It is formed on materialism and capitalism
• What does the ring symbolize in Sheila's engagement?

  It symbolizes ownership and commitment
• How does Priestley portray the engagement between Sheila and Gerald?

  As superficial and business-oriented
• What does Sheila's jealousy reveal about her character?

  It shows her immaturity and insecurity about her beauty
• How does Sheila's reaction to Eva's death reflect her character development?

  She questions her own beauty, indicating a warped view of value
• What societal issue does Priestley highlight through Sheila's jealousy?

  The link between beauty and social class
• How does Mrs Birling's reaction to Gerald's affair affect Sheila?

  It reinforces Sheila's jealousy and highlights societal norms
• What does Priestley suggest about women's roles in early 20th century Britain?

  Women had limited rights and were expected to marry for stability
• How does Sheila's lifestyle affect her dependence on men?

  Sheila requires a man to maintain her comfortable lifestyle
• What does the ring symbolize for Sheila in terms of financial security?

  It symbolizes the financial security that Gerald provides
• How does Priestley portray Sheila's immaturity?

  As a product of her parents' manipulation and influence
• What does Priestley aim to achieve by targeting the younger generation through Sheila's character?

  To encourage rejection of outdated mindsets and promote a socialist society
• What parallels does Priestley draw between Sheila and Eva Smith?

  He compares their experiences to highlight class differences
• How does Sheila's excitement about her future differ from Eva's perspective?

  Sheila is excited about higher social status, while Eva suffers greatly
• What does Priestley convey through the juxtaposition of Sheila and Eva's lives?

  He promotes socialism by highlighting class disparities
• How does Sheila's empathy for Eva reflect her character development?

  It shows her ability to understand the struggles of the working class
• What is Sheila's response to the Inspector's message about social responsibility?

  She accepts her role in Eva's death and reflects on her actions
• How does Sheila's reaction to Eva's death differ from other characters in the play?

  Sheila openly accepts her responsibility, unlike others who avoid it
• What does Sheila's compassion towards Eva's death signify?

  It signifies her growth and understanding of social issues
• What ambiguity does Priestley create regarding Sheila's change by the end of the play?

  He leaves uncertainty about whether she has truly changed for the better
• What literary technique does Priestley use to create uncertainty in Sheila's character development?

  He uses reverse syntax in her dialogue
• What stance does Gerald maintain towards the inspector?

  He maintains a stance of not accepting responsibility.
• How does Gerald's tone towards the inspector come across?

  His tone is misleading and reluctant.
• What message does Priestley convey through Sheila?

  To better society and reduce suffering.
• What perspective does Priestley suggest society should adopt?

  To see the world from the perspective of the disadvantaged and persecuted lower-classes.
• How is Sheila's compassion demonstrated in the play?

  Through her reaction to Eva's death, saying "how horrible!".
• What is the ambiguity surrounding Sheila's change by the end of the play?

  • Priestley leaves it ambiguous whether Sheila has completely changed for the better.
  • This is shown through reverse syntax in "it frightens me, the way you talk".
  • It raises questions about what Sheila truly fears.
• What does Sheila's half-rejection of Gerald and his ring signify?

  It implies her acceptance of nepotism, classism, and patriarchy.
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  She becomes more open to the Inspector's views and accepts responsibility for her actions.
• What does Sheila say in response to her father's capitalist approach?

  "These girls aren't cheap labour, they're people."
• How does the Inspector's message impact Sheila?

  It enlightens her and shifts her mindset towards socialist ideology.
• What does Priestley suggest about youth and receptiveness to change?

  He suggests that youthfulness makes individuals more impressionable and open to new ideas.
• How does Sheila act as a proxy for the Inspector after he departs?

  She continues to propagate the Inspector's message of social responsibility.
• What does Sheila promise after accepting responsibility?

  "I'll never, never do it to anyone again."