sheila

• Who are Sheila's parents?

  Mr and Mrs Birling
• Who is Sheila's brother?

  Eric Birling
• What is Sheila's social status?

  Middle-class
• Who is Sheila engaged to?

  Gerald Croft
• How is Sheila initially portrayed in the stage directions?

  As a pretty girl, excited about life
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  She gains maturity and acknowledges her role in Eva's death
• What does Sheila represent after the Inspector's departure?

  His proxy, rejecting her parents' views
• What is the nature of Sheila and Gerald's engagement?

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

  A visual marker of 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?

  Her immaturity and insecurity about beauty
• How does Sheila react to Eva's death?

  She questions her own beauty
• What does Sheila's view of beauty suggest about her values?

  She links value to outward beauty and social class
• How does Mrs Birling's reaction to Gerald's affair affect Sheila?

  It reinforces Sheila's jealousy
• What societal expectations are placed on women in 1912?

  To marry and fulfill domestic roles
• How does Sheila's lifestyle depend on men?

  She requires a man for financial stability
• What does Priestley suggest about marriage in Sheila's context?

  It has financial motivations, not just love
• How does Sheila's joy at receiving the ring reflect societal values?

  It symbolizes financial security and social status
• How does Sheila's behavior reflect her parents' influence?

  Her immaturity and materialism stem from them
• What does Priestley intend for Sheila's character to represent?

  A rejection of outdated mindsets of older generations
• What parallels does Priestley draw between Sheila and Eva Smith?

  Both are affected by their social class upbringing
• How does Sheila's excitement about her future contrast with Eva's experience?

  Sheila looks forward to marriage, Eva commits suicide
• What does Priestley convey through the juxtaposition of Sheila and Eva's lives?

  Class distinctions impact women's experiences
• How does Sheila's empathy for Eva enhance her character development?

  It makes her more responsive to the Inspector's message
• What does Sheila's statement about girls being people signify?

  Her recognition of the humanity of lower classes
• How does Sheila accept her role in Eva's death?

  She refuses to make excuses for her behavior
• How does Sheila's response to Eva's death differ from other characters?

  She openly acknowledges her responsibility
• What message does Priestley convey through Sheila's compassion?

  To encourage societal change and reduce suffering
• What ambiguity does Priestley leave regarding Sheila's change by the end of the play?

  It is unclear if she has completely changed
• What literary device does Priestley use to create uncertainty in Sheila's feelings?

  Reverse syntax in her dialogue
• What stance does Gerald maintain towards the inspector?

  He does not accept responsibility
• How does Gerald's tone towards the inspector come across?

  It 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?

  Seeing the world from the disadvantaged's perspective
• How does Sheila demonstrate genuine care in the play?

  Through her feminine compassion
• What is left ambiguous about Sheila's change by the end of the play?

  Whether she has completely changed for the better
• How does Priestley create uncertainty in Sheila's fear?

  By using reverse syntax in her speech
• What does Sheila's half-rejection of Gerald symbolize?

  Her acceptance of nepotism and classism
• How does Priestley use cyclical structure in Sheila's character development?

  Sheila must decide on her engagement to Gerald
• What does Sheila's acceptance of Gerald's ring imply?

  Her acceptance of patriarchal values