Sheila

• Materialistic


  Excessively​ ​concerned​ ​with​ ​material possessions;​ ​money-oriented e.g. when receiving the ring from Gerald she says ‘Now I really feel engaged’
• Infantile


  Of​ ​or​ ​occurring​ ​among​ ​babies​ ​or​ ​very​ ​ children young;​ ​childish e.g. refers to her parents as ‘mummy’ ‘daddy’ and is treated like a child by them, told to leave the room.
• Naïve


  Showing​ ​a​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​experience,​ ​wisdom,​ ​or judgement. E.g. is shocked to discover the true harsh of reality regarding girls like Eva. Her comment about Eva shows just how sheltered her life has been ‘She was pretty and looked as if she could take care of herself’
• Remorseful


  Filled​ ​with​ ​remorse;​ ​sorry. E.g. from the minute she learns of her involvement Sheila changes, she instantly admits her responsibility ‘I know I’m to blame’ and from then on in she matures and faces her guilt head on stating ‘I’ll never do it again to anybody’
• Petulant


  Childishly​ ​sulky​ ​or​ ​bad-tempered e.g. the relationship she has with Eric at the beginning of the play is very childlike she says Eric is ‘squiffy’ and is excitable. In addition, her behaviour at Milwards when trying on the dress supports how childlike she acted believing Eva had laughed at her she then demanded her to be sacked.
• Obedient


  Complying​ ​or​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​comply​ ​with​ ​an​ ​order​ ​or request e.g. initially in the play she does as her parents instruct of her, and acts like a typical woman for middle class, leaving the men to chat and drink whilst joining her mother in the other room.
• Oppressed


  Subject​ ​to​ ​harsh​ ​and​ ​authoritarian​ ​treatment. E.g. when the Inspector revealed her part in the death of Eva she left the room and when she returned it was clear her father had told her it wasn’t her fault. She was also ordered to go to her room on occasions demonstrating she was treated in a dictatorship way.
• Independent


  Free​ ​from​ ​outside​ ​control;​ ​not​ ​subject​ ​to another’s​ ​authority. E.g. Sheila is the first member of the family to understand the Inspector’s purpose, she stands up to her parents, Gerald and speaks her mind freely. To her parents she says ‘No, because I remember what he said, How he looked, and what he made me feel. Fire and blood and anguish. And it frightens me the way you talk’
• Compassionate


  Feeling​ ​or​ ​showing​ ​sympathy​ ​and​ ​concern for​ ​others e.g. when learning of why her father sacked Eva she said ‘These girls aren’t cheap labour – they’re people.’
• Altruistic


  Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish. E.g. even though her mother has behaved cruelly towards Eva, when Mrs Birling is ranting about the father being responsible Sheila tries to stop her from making a fool of herself. ‘Do stop before it is too late’
• Penitent


  Feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant. E.g. Sheila makes many comments to show she feels regret ‘And if I could help her now, I would.’ ‘But that won’t bring Eva Smith back to life, will it?’  ‘Between us we drove that girl to commit suicide.’
• Perceptive


  Having or showing sensitive insight. E.g. Sheila makes the biggest change of any character she is naïve to begin with but then quickly matures and understands the Inspector’s purpose she says ‘No, he’s giving us the rope – so that we’ll hang ourselves.