Sheila Birling

• Who are Sheila's parents?

  Mr and Mrs Birling
• Who is Sheila engaged to?

  Gerald Croft
• What social class does Sheila belong to?

  Middle-class
• How is Sheila initially portrayed in the stage directions?

  As "a pretty girl in her early twenties, very pleased with life and rather excited"
• How does Sheila's character evolve throughout the play?

  She gains maturity and acknowledges her role in Eva Smith's suicide
• What does Sheila's jealousy indicate about her character at the beginning of the play?

  It shows her immaturity and insecurity regarding her own beauty
• What does the engagement ring symbolize in Sheila's relationship with Gerald?

  It symbolizes ownership and commitment, reflecting their materialistic engagement
• How does Priestley use Sheila's reaction to Eva's death to develop her character?

  Her immediate concern about Eva's beauty highlights her shallow values, which evolve later
• What societal expectations did women face in early 20th century Britain?

  Women were expected to marry and fulfill domestic roles with limited rights
• How does Sheila's lifestyle depend on her relationship with Gerald?

  Sheila requires a man to provide her with financial stability and maintain her lifestyle
• What does Sheila's joy at receiving the engagement ring signify?

  It signifies her comfort in the financial security that Gerald provides
• How does Priestley portray Sheila as a victim of her environment?

  Sheila's judgment of others by their beauty reflects the societal values imposed on her
• What is the significance of Sheila's acceptance of her role in Eva's death?

  It contrasts with other characters who avoid responsibility, highlighting her growth
• How does Priestley use the relationship between Sheila and Eva to convey his message?

  He contrasts their lives to highlight the impact of social class on women's experiences
• What does Sheila's disgust at her father's attitude towards working-class girls reveal?

  It shows her growing awareness of social responsibility and empathy for the disadvantaged
• How does Priestley leave the question of Sheila's change by the end of the play?

  He leaves it ambiguous, creating uncertainty about her transformation
• What literary device does Priestley use to create uncertainty in Sheila's final statement?


  He uses reverse syntax in the phrase “it frightens me, the way you talk”
• What stance does Gerald maintain towards the Inspector?

  He maintains a stance of not accepting responsibility.
• How does Gerald's tone towards the Inspector come across?

  His tone is misleading and reluctant.
• What message does Priestley convey through Sheila regarding society?

  He conveys the need to better society and reduce suffering.
• What perspective does Priestley suggest people should adopt towards the lower classes?

  People should see the world from the perspective of the disadvantaged and persecuted lower-classes.

  
• How does Sheila demonstrate genuine care in response to Eva's death?

  Sheila expresses horror at Eva's death by saying, "how horrible!"
• What is left ambiguous about Sheila's character by the end of the play?

  • Whether Sheila has completely changed for the better
  • This uncertainty is revealed through reverse syntax in her statement about fear
  • It prompts questions about the complexity of her fear

  
• What does the reverse syntax in Sheila's phrase "it frightens me, the way you talk" suggest?

  It creates uncertainty about what is scaring Sheila.
• What does Sheila's half-rejection of Gerald and his ring imply?

  It implies that she may return to her initial ideological position.
• What does Sheila's failure to reject Gerald's ring symbolize?

  It symbolizes her acceptance of nepotism, classism, and patriarchy.
• How do Sheila's convictions change throughout the play?

  Her convictions become more open to the Inspector's views.
• How does Sheila respond to her father's capitalist approach to business?

  She challenges it by stating, "these girls aren’t cheap labour, they’re people."
• What does the Inspector do for Sheila in terms of her awareness?

  The Inspector enlightens Sheila about the suffering outside her privileged bubble.
• How does Sheila's empathy manifest in her language?

  She uses the plural noun "girls," showing her ability to relate to their oppression.
• What does Sheila's physical movement towards the Inspector signify?

  It reflects her mindset moving towards the Inspector's socialist ideology.
• How does Priestley characterize Sheila's youthfulness in relation to the Inspector's message?

  He suggests that her youthfulness makes her more impressionable to the Inspector's message.
• What role does Sheila take on after the Inspector departs?

  She acts as the Inspector's proxy, continuing his message of social responsibility.
• How does Sheila's acceptance of responsibility differ from other characters?

  Sheila accepts responsibility for her actions immediately without deflecting blame.
• What does Sheila say about her own faults regarding Eva?

  She acknowledges that her jealousy caused her to mistreat Eva.
• How does Priestley contrast Sheila's maturity with that of the older characters?

  He shows that maturity does not necessarily increase with age, as the younger generation is more mature.
• What does Priestley suggest is necessary for positive socialist change?

  There needs to be critical thought and a move away from toxic capitalist views.
• What was Priestley's intention for the year 1945 regarding class divides?

  He wanted it to be a time of change and to avoid falling back into Victorian class divides.
• How does Sheila's realization of her immorality compare to other characters?

  Sheila realizes the immorality of her actions more than the other characters.
• How do the other characters react to Sheila's sense of social responsibility?

  They object to it and exercise their social authority over her.