Shiela Birling

• responsibility point


  Shelia is the first member of the birling family to accept her responsibility in the death of Eva smith. Priestly does this to represent the youth and portray how they can change society
• Points


  Responsibility

  Maturity

  Materialistic

  Capitalism vs socialism
• Responsibility quotes


  Oh - how horrible

  I felt rotten about it at the time

  If I could help her now, I would. I'll never, never do it again to anybody
• Oh - how horrible


  Sheila is the only character who expresses genuine motion towards the suicide of Eva Smith. Priestley demonstrates this through the use of a dash, indicating Sheila's authentic displeasure.
• I felt rotten about it at the time


  Priestley's use of the informal adjective "rotten" demonstrates Sheila'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.
• If I could help her now, I would. I'll never, never do it again to anybody


  Priestley evidences Sheila's commitment to changing her attitude towards social responsibility.
• Maturity point


  Shelia also gains maturity throughout the novel and her parents have less of an influence on her as an individual
• Maturity quote


  You and I aren't the same people

  You don't seem to have learnt anything

  No not yet. It's too soon. I must think
• You and I aren't the same people


  Sheila has gained maturity since her initial engagement with Gerald. Sheila's perception of Gerald has changed and she can no longer ignore the injustices in society
• You don't seem to have learnt anything


  Here, Sheila 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
• 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 use of this imperative "must" is a direct message from Priestley to the audience - to think for themselves
• Materialisic


  At the beginning of the play Shiela is extremely materialistic which portrays her privileged and wealthy upbringing
• Materialistic quotes


  Now I really feel engaged

  Is this the one (Gerald) wanted me to have
• Is this the one (Gerald) wanted me to have


  Priestley's use of this question reveals the extent of patriarchal control Gerald has over Sheila. Beginning with the choice of the ring and inevitably extending to controlling her everyday life. This would have been common for women at the time. As they were controlled by their parents when growing up and the controlled would then be passed on tk their husbands
• Now I really feel engaged


  Sheila's obsession with material objects is demonstrated when Sheila needs the physical token of a ring to "really feel engaged" this is the visual marker of ownership and commitment from Gerald in their relationship
• Capitalism vs. Socialism quotes

  Pretty?

  But these girls aren't cheap labour they're people

  Impermanence is such a silly word
• Pretty?

  Here, it can be inferred that Sheili's grief was greater due to Eva being pretty. This demonstrates Sheila's warped view of the world, as the value of someone's life depends on their outward beauty.
• But these girls arnt cheap labour they're people


  Priestley demonstrates Sheila's instantaneous recognition of the Inspector's message, as she objects to her father's dehumanising and capitalist approach to business.
• Impertinent is such a silly word


  Sheila, later on in the play, has developed in maturity and rejects her mother's use of the formal adjective "impertinent" to criticise Eva as "such a silly word".