Shelia quotes + analysis

• "Now I really feel engaged"

  Shelia's obsession with material objects is demonstrated when Shelia need the physical token of a ring to "really feel engaged". This ring is a visual marker of ownership and commitment from Gerald in the relationship
• "I felt rotten about it at the time"

  Priestley's use for the informal adjective "rotten' demonstrates Shelia's lack of maturity in vocabulary. However, she also shows remorse for her actions, which she instantly knew was wrong. Arguably, this is Priestley conveying the message that maturity is proportional to the level of social responsibility you feel, rather than using formal vocabulary
• "But these girls aren't cheap labour they're people"

  Priestley demonstrates Shelia's instantaneous recognition of the Inspector's message, as she objects her father's dehumanising and capitalist approach to business.
• "You don't seem to have learnt anything"

  Here, Shelia acknowledges the purpose of the Inspector's inquiry - a moral teaching. Priestley does this to portray the older generation as stubborn and opposed to changing their stance on responsibility
• "Pretty girl in her early twenties...and very please with life and rather excited"

  Shelia is initially portrayed through the stage directions as living comfortably and blissfully ignorant of society's injustices. Priestley does this to develop Shelia as a character later in the play, into a more socially responsible person