Sheila Birling

• Explode the quote, "I'll never let it go out of my sight for an instant."

  ¬shows sheila as very materialistic and always attempting to please Gerald - role of women

  ¬this is irony as she later returned the ring back to Gerald after discovering his affair with Eva.

  ¬this reminds Gerald of his responsibility to Sheila, even though it is more of a financial arrangement

  ¬Women in society in those days generally had to accept a proposal from a man

  ¬Sheila values love and her relationship with Gerald, (contrast) and later

  on in the play when she returns the ring it shows that she has a much greater value to love than he does.
• Explode the quote, "No, not yet. It's too soon. I must think."

  ¬This pivotal moment is where Sheila must either accept or reject Gerald and the capitalist individualism he stands for.

  ¬the imperative "must" is a direct message from Priestley to the audience for them to think to themselves.

  ¬push to suggest that she goes back to Gerald.

  ¬shows that Sheila is trapped as if she does decide not to go back to him, she'll have no freedom, no rights.
• Explode the quote, "The point is, you don't seem to have learnt anything."

  ¬expresses her frustration and disappointment with her parents' continued denial and lack of remorse after the Inspector's visit, highlighting the generational divide and Priestley's message about social responsibility. 

  ¬Sheila is taking on the Inspector's role, advocating/becoming the mouthpiece for Priestley's views.

  ¬highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and changing one's behavior in the future. 

  ¬Priestley does this to portray the older generation as stubborn and opposed to changing their stance on responsibility.
• Explode the quote, "No because I remember what he said, how he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish."

  ¬highlights her visceral and lasting emotional reaction to the Inspector's revelations, marking a shift in her understanding of the world. 

  ¬"how he looked" shows that Sheila found the Inspector intimidating and authoritative.

  ¬encapsulates the profound and lasting impact the Inspector's words had on Sheila, marking a turning point in her character and her understanding of social responsibility. 

  ¬"fire and blood and anguish" is used to convey the intensity and the destructive nature of the events that the Inspector has revealed.

  ¬embodies equality

  ¬capitalism ultimately leads to war
• Explode the quote, "(frightened) Eric, don't-don't!"

  ¬highlights the dangers of the patriarchy

  ¬Birling is tolerant of aggression towards women

  ¬she cannot accept what Eric has done to Eva.

  ¬a pivotal moment where Sheila, the daughter of the Birling family, tries to protect her brother, Eric, from his father's disapproval and the Inspector's questioning. 

  ¬shows Sheila's development from a naive, spoiled girl to a more thoughtful and empathetic individual. 

  ¬repetition of "don't" emphasizes Sheila's strong reaction and her desire to prevent Eric from being further reprimanded. 
• Explode the quote, "She looked as if she could take care of herself."

  ¬Sheila is simply jealous of Eva.

  ¬shows that Eva never understood the struggles of the working class as the upper class are too focused on appearance/ attractiveness.

  ¬As expected in such an exploitative capitalist society, Sheila threatens to use the power her family holds for such frivolous means.

  ¬context, in 1912 women were objectified by men which is why Sheila hols this patriarchal view.

  ¬Sheila does not feel guilty because Eva was very pretty.
• Explode the quote, "At least you've been honest. And I believe what you told us about the way you helped her at first. Just out of pity."

  ¬she is corrupted by the patriarchy and is afraid of the truth.

  ¬she still wants her status and freedom so is choosing to ignore the truth.

  ¬as soon as Eva was a financial inconvenience, she had been kicked out.

  ¬Sheila cannot afford to believe that Gerald is cynical and manipulative.

  ¬she has not fully embedded the Inspector's message.
• Explode the quote, "But we hardly ever told him anything he didn't know."

  ¬suggests the Inspector"hardly ever" emphasizes the Inspector's seemingly effortless ability to uncover the truth

  ¬ possesses an unnerving ability to discern the truth and the characters' secrets, implying he's not merely a questioner but a perceptive investigator who already understands the situation

  ¬implies that the Inspector is perhaps supernatural.

  ¬socialism predicts that the upper class are immoral and it is this drive for power and status that corrupts them
• Explode the quote, "You be careful."

  ¬reveals a deeper understanding of Gerald's character and foreshadows the unfolding events, including his infidelity. 

  ¬this is not a warning it is a veiled accusation and a recognition of Gerald's pattern of behaviour. 

  ¬highlights the hypocrisy and moral failings of the upper class, who are often blind to the consequences of their actions. 

  ¬shows that even upper class women can be stuck in predicaments like this
• Explode the quote, "But these girls aren't just cheap labour-they're people."

  ¬echoing the Inspector's words

  ¬Sheila belittles yet also empathises with them.

  ¬is starting to display socialist views

  ¬"people" shows the changing socialist views in society.

  ¬Priestley's intentions are to show socialist views are better than capitalist because they treat everyone equally. This would help the audience to understand better how capitalist views only cause pain to the lower class and why socialism is better.

  ¬capitalism exploits and causes suffering